Duke Kunshan University Advisory Board Held 2018 Annual Meeting

On May 26, 2018, the Duke Kunshan University Advisory Board held its 5th annual meeting on the Duke Kunshan campus. Board Chair Rick Wagoner presided over the meeting, which convened more than 30 Advisory Board members and senior leaders from Duke Kunshan and its founding partners. During the day-long meeting, they exchanged insights on how to build on Duke Kunshan’s progress in Phase I to ensure a successful launch of the Undergraduate Degree Program in Phase II.

Duke’s President Vince Price started the meeting by sharing Duke’s China strategy and reiterated Duke Kunshan’s important role in the age of globalization.’I believe Duke Kunshan University is a beacon of light that sits within the turbulence of world affairs today’The opportunity to create, here at Duke Kunshan, a new interdisciplinary program is a tremendous opportunity, one that is so significant to China, to the United States and to Duke University,’ he said.

Vincent Price, President of Duke University

Following President Price, Executive Vice Chancellor Denis Simon presented a report of Duke Kunshan’s accomplishments over the last year regarding student recruitment and admissions, faculty recruitment, graduate programs, campus construction, branding and communications, as well as challenges ahead. Chancellor Liu Jingnan also shared his reflections as founding chancellor, and praised Advisory Board for serving as the ‘core think-tank’ for Duke Kunshan.

During the first member input session, members delved into the current state of Sino-US relations and their potential implications for Duke Kunshan. Board members agreed that the evolving relationship between China and the U.S. could present Duke Kunshan with some challenges, but also interesting and unique opportunities. They suggested that Duke Kunshan has the potential to become a ‘center of gravity’ to address some of the critical issues likely to affect the future of Sino-US relations.

In the second session, Gao Haiyan, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Tourgee Simpson, Associate Dean for Student Advising introduced the personalized experience designed for each undergraduate student’Signature Work and Student Advising. The ideas sparked lively discussions among board members.

Advisory Board Member Input Session

Dede Nickerson pointed out that the individualized student experience that integrates on- and off-campus experiences is the key factor that differentiates Duke Kunshan from other universities. It is critical for Duke Kunshan, with the help of the Advisory Board, to build extensive partnerships with companies and institutions and to create diversified opportunities for the students. Liu Mingkang encouraged board members to take an active role in student advising by teaching, lecturing and sharing knowledge, experience and insight. His idea was echoed by Zhang Xingsheng, who shared the recent collaboration between The Forever Nature Capital Foundation and the Duke Kunshan Environment Center. The Foundation, initiated by Mr. Zhang himself, is providing Duke Kunshan students with field opportunities to work on environmental protection, with a plan to launch more different projects in the near future. In addition, board members also advised on executive education, master’s programs, research activities, and fundraising strategies.

Group Photo

At the closing dinner, President Vincent Price and Executive Vice Chancellor Denis Simon announced new major gifts received by Duke and Duke Kunshan, and hosted the recognition ceremony for donors including: Ms. Ma Lin, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Choi, Mr. Peter Hua and Ms. Linda Lin, and Mr. Ron Cai and Ms. Hu Yulin. The gifts will be used to support Undergraduate Scholarships and the iMEP Program at Duke Kunshan as well as the Annual Fund at Duke University. President Price applauded the Advisory Board for being an invaluable resource to the new university in fundraising and many other areas. The efforts and ideas of individual board members and the group as a whole have made a significant impact on the success of Duke Kunshan University.

President Price and Executive Vice Chancellor Simon honor

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Choi

President Price and Executive Vice Chancellor Simon honor Ms. Ma Lin

President Price honors Mr. Peter Hua and Mr. Ron Cai

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Gareth McPherson

Email: gareth.mcpherson@dukekunshan.edu.cn

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