Millersville University of Pennsylvania has been the successful host university for a Shanghai Executive Training Program since 1998. The training program is housed at the School of Humanities and Social Science and based upon an agreement between Millersville University and the Shanghai Municipal Government1. The participants in the program are Chinese middle level executive managers. Since 1998, eighty-three Chinese executives have enrolled in the program and returned to China, where they have been instrumental in the rapid changes taking place in that country.

The executive training program is designed to provide a high quality educational opportunity for Chinese executives to learn about U.S. business principles and practices, to improve Chinese and U.S. relations and to enhance mutual understanding necessary for successful economic and cultural exchanges in the future. The curriculum of the training program is based on sound research and experiential-based knowledge, and explicitly incorporates a cultural perspective. It includes a structured series of seminars on topics ranging from economics and business to cultural, political and social systems in the U.S., and various social and business engagements. One of the most impressive characteristics of the training program is the “beyond campus” learning experiences and enthusiastic involvements of the business community.

The program participants visit various companies, government offices/agencies, community organizations, schools, hospitals, and retirement communities; these extended visits, in an actual b usiness setting, enhance the principles learned in the classrooms. The Chinese executives develop an understanding of the United States through these “hands-on” experiences, which also build up the “out-reach” with various communities and peoples. The training program promotes broad interdisciplinary interactions among the University faculty and students, and strengthens collaborative ties between community businesses and the University. It enriches the University Community, the region of Lancaster, and the state of Pennsylvania through this unique international exchange.

On January 4, 2004, the first international branch of Millersville University Alumni Association was officially established at a gala ceremony in Shanghai, China. The Shanghai Branch represents a significant contribution to the unique international program at Millersville. The branch will not only provide a dynamic network between the University and the Shanghai executive alumni, strengthening alumni relations in support of the University’s mission, but it also will be an effective channel to link the regional business community with the University, promoting successful economic and cultural exchanges between peoples in the United States and China. Millersville University is the tenth American university that officially registered an alumni chapter in Shanghai; the other nine universities are: University of California at Berkeley, Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, Tulane University, University of Illinois, and West Virginia University. The Chinese executive training program at Millersville has been consistently praised by the Shanghai Municipal Government as one of the best training programs among their 50 some international education partners worldwide.

The successes of this program provide a unique opportunity for the university and the regional communities, and the training program is envisioned as a Chinese business resource center, a collaborative partnership between the University and regional communities, and a broad platform to develop interdisciplinary and global education programs. The followings are several areas in which the Chinese executive training program at MU can assist the business community:

• Create a powerful business and social network in Shanghai and China. Business operation in China today tends to be standardized, but it is still highly regionalized. As American companies explore Chinese markets, the preexisting connections of the Chinese Executive Training Program at MU could provide the basis of this larger business and social network. In addition it could constitute a great informational asset for the business community. Here are some of the program alumni Chinese executives who are the chief executive members in various government offices and state owned large-scale enterprises:
  • Vice President of Shanghai Commerce;
  • Deputy Mayors of four districts in Shanghai (Huangpu, Hongkou, Xuhui and Putu);
  • Staff Chief for several District Government Offices;
  • Executive Officers of the District Foreign Business and Economic Committee;
  • Executive Officers of the Shanghai Departments of Urban Planning and Development, Social and Welfare, Insurance, and Public Health;
  • Chief government representative for the Tax-Free Zone;
  • Vice President and/or Judgers of the District Courts in Shanghai, and Police Chief in the District Bureau;
  • Directors or Deputy Directors of the District Education Bureau, universities in Shanghai, and various research institutions;
  • Directors or Deputy Directors in the District State-Owned Asset Management Office, Public Finance Bureau, and security company; and
  • The managers for public traded companies, Shanghai Airport Group, Shanghai TV Station, Shanghai Radio, and Editor-in-Chief of various Shanghai newspapers.
• Mediate the significant differences that exist between American and Chinese culture, political and legal systems. Bridging these gaps is the key to the success of doing business in China. The extensive first hand experience and connections that the Program at MU has built up can help American companies make professional connections; understand the Chinese governmental structure and legal system; and meet the Chinese people. Our efforts would be tailored to make specialized connections based on a company’s unique business needs.
• Establish local meetings with Chinese executives. The Program has a uniquely experienced “team China” in residence at the University. Twelve Chinese executives are in the program for six months every year; they bring first-hand “Chinese perspective” on business opportunities in China. The Program has arranged many effective business roundtable meetings between Chinese executives and American companies through the site visits and special topic seminars, learning the business practices in the U.S. and China. The roundtable discussions, through questions and answers, always help the American companies to find solutions to the problems they have encountered. To facilitate, formalize and expand upon these proven activities are always one of the main missions of the training program would like to accomplish.
• Create a regional information and educational center on China. Our knowledge, expertise and the pre-established broad networks would allow us to serve as an informational and educational resource center on China for the regional business community, and it is the goal that the Program is working for. In addition to serving as a source of general information on China, we hope to offer Chinese language training and general or industrialized special topic seminars and/or training, including a trip to China. These well focused educational opportunities will simplify the process of getting to know China and would allow American companies to step right into productive business relationships.

We believe that The Chinese Executive Training Program at Millersville is a great resource for the Pennsylvania business community in exploring the business opportunities in China, and in promoting mutual understanding between peoples. We are working very hard and would like to invite you together to build up the bridge and the potential to serve the needs of the businesses and individuals in our region.

Please contact us if you have questions and/or suggestions.

Dr. Enyang Guo
Associate Professor of Finance, and Director
Chinese Executive Training Program at Millersville
336 McComsey Hall
Phone: 717-872-3509
Fax: 717-872-3725
Email address: Chinese.program@millersville.edu