BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—The Indiana University China Office in Beijing received a visit today from an Indiana delegation led by Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, highlighting ways in which the university’s global engagement will serve the people of Indiana.
Idalene “Idie” Kesner, dean of the IU Kelley School of Business and the Frank P. Popoff Chair of Strategic Management, hosted the meeting, which included Indiana government and agriculture representatives who are on a 10-day tour of China to establish stronger relationships and promote trade.
“IU’s gateway offices provide resources that can be as useful to Hoosier business and government interests as they are to education and research,” Vice President for International Affairs David Zaret said. “The lieutenant governor’s visit underscores collaborative opportunities and the value-added impact the IU gateway initiative can have for all Indiana residents.”
Indiana University opened its China Office in 2014. The office serves as a home base for university activities, including partnerships with a growing network of leading Asian universities and engagement with IU alumni and with prospective students and their families.
Steven Yin, manager of the IU China Office, gave the lieutenant governor a tour of the office, explained its mission and described events and programs that have taken place there. He greeted the delegation on behalf of Zaret and IU President Michael A. McRobbie and added that the China Office would be available as a venue for advancing the state’s interests.
Kesner answered questions from the delegation about the Kelley School of Business and its activities and engagement in China and elsewhere around the globe.
“We look forward to future collaborations between the visiting delegates, the Kelley School and the broader IU community,” Kesner said. “There are many potential opportunities to link Indiana companies with China, and we are happy to facilitate the exploration of those opportunities. We also welcome visiting Indiana business executives to use the gateway office in Beijing as they explore business opportunities in China."
Ellspermann and the 18-member state delegation arrived in China on June 24 and will depart for Indiana on Friday. The group visited and met with officials in Hangzhou, Chengdu, Tianjin and Beijing and other cities with a focus on expanding the variety and volume of Indiana agricultural products exported to newly developing consumer markets in China.
The delegation also celebrated Indiana’s sister-state relationship with Zhejiang Province and attended the Beijing Food Exposition, where an Indiana booth showcased Hoosier-grown products. Along with Ellspermann, participants include officials with the state Department of Agriculture and Office of Community and Rural Affairs and representatives of agricultural businesses and organizations.
The IU China Office is part of the Indiana University Global Gateway Network, which also includes university gateway offices in India and Germany.
