Chinese Professor First to Participate in Franklin University Exchange Visitor Program

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) October 27, 2010

Franklin University, one of the leading educators of working adults in Central Ohio, is pleased to announce the arrival of Professor Weihua Peng, Associate Professor at the Sichuan Business Vocational College in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, as Franklin’s first Exchange Visitor Scholar.

Recently designated by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) as a sponsor within the DOS Exchange Visitor Program (J-Visa), Franklin’s DOS designation covers the following categories: college/university students, short-term scholars, professors, and specialists.

Professor Peng will be an exchange visitor scholar on Franklin University’s Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, for six months, collaborating in various projects with three Franklin faculty members: Dr. Douglas Ross, MBA and M.S. in Marketing and Communication Program Chair; Dr. Souren Soumbatiants, Program Chair of Business Economics; and Dr. Wenxia Wu, Health and Public Administration faculty member. Professor Peng will also work closely with Dr. Silvia Jiménez-Hyre, Associate Dean of the Office of International Services & Programs and Responsible Officer for the Exchange Visitor Program.

Professor Peng serves as Associate Professor at the Sichuan Business Vocational College in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China. While in the U.S. and at Franklin University, she will be engaged in collaborative research and curricular development in the areas of American foreign trade policy and analysis of the U.S. market. Peng will also collaborate on research related to curriculum development and cross-cultural teaching strategies. Professor Peng will also work with the Franklin faculty to develop pedagogical strategies to better prepare faculty members for endeavors that include teaching abroad.

Franklin University staff and faculty members welcomed Professor Peng to the University’s campus on    Oct. 18. Her first two weeks at Franklin will consist of an extensive orientation to the campus and Central Ohio before she begins her work here.    

The purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program, administered by the Department of State under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, is to increase mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchanges between the people of the U.S. and people of other countries. The Exchange Visitor Program provides foreign nationals opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the United States with the expectation that upon completion of their exchange programs, they will return home to share their experiences.

The U.S. Department of State designates U.S. organizations such as government agencies, academic institutions, educational and cultural organizations, and corporations to administer exchange visitor programs. These organizations are known as sponsors. Sponsors screen and select exchange visitors to participate in their programs based on the regulations governing the exchange activity and stated in 22 CFR Part 62. Sponsors provide participants pre-arrival information, an orientation, and monitor their activities throughout their exchange programs.

Students

Students are eligible for an exchange visitor visa if at any time during their college studies they are financed by the U.S. government, the student’s home government, an international organization, or are funded substantially from any source other than personal or family funds. Under certain circumstances, work permission is allowed. Prospective Students must contact the Office of International Services & Programs at Franklin University for more information.

Short-Term Scholars

Short-Term Scholars are permitted to participate in lecturing, observing, and consulting in seminars, workshops, conferences, study tours, professional meetings, or similar types of educational and professional activities for a period of up to six months.

Professors

This designation allows for exchange opportunities in research, teaching, lecturing, observing, or consultation at the Franklin University campuses and locations. A professor or research scholar in this category is given up to five years to complete teaching and research objectives, among others.

Specialists

The specialist category allows experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skill to come to the United States to observe, consult, or demonstrate special skills for a period up to one year.

About Franklin University

Founded in 1902, Franklin University is one of the leading and most experienced educators of adult students. Annually, more than 11,000 students attend Franklin, both at its Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, three Central Ohio locations, and at its newest location in Indianapolis, in addition to online. Franklin offers 27 undergraduate majors as well as three graduate programs and graduates more than 1,500 students annually. The University’s MBA Program is offered internationally through agreements with institutions in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Further information regarding Franklin University can be found at http://www.franklin.edu.

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