Update on Wuhan University

April 28, 2010

Pittsburgh and Wuhan are considered “sister cities” (both have histories in heavy industry, are situated on major rivers, etc.) and several Pitt schools have exchange programs with Wuhan. Martin, Daqing, and I met with Larry Feick (UCIS director) last week to consider ways SIS and the School of Information Management could advance our mutual interests in collaboration. Wuhan has an interest in 3+2 programs where some of their students would come to Pitt to complete an undergraduate degree and earn a Masters degree. Capstone experiences for Pitt students either physically in Wuhan or on a virtual team with their students are also of interest. I will be traveling to Wuhan in October to participate in their 90th birthday celebration and to negotiate a collaborative relationship. Martin Weiss is developing a matrix of specific options, costs, and funding alternatives to facilitate that discussion. Your ideas (including consideration of how to pay for them) are welcome.