May 2006

Welcome to e-TrueBlue: China, a bimonthly communication for University of Michigan alumni in China. As the Chinese Alumni Relations program continues to evolve, our goal is to update you on our efforts to building a global program that benefits the University and its faculty and students.

To ensure delivery of e-TrueBlue to your inbox (not bulk or junk mail folder), please add malumni@umich.edu to your address book or safe list.

Michigan News

To further expand its academic programs and partnerships in China, the University's Office of the Vice Provost of International Affairs recently announced that Zhen "Jen" Zhu has been appointed coordinator of U-M China Initiatives. In addition to helping strengthen existing programs and communications, Zhu will work with U-M schools and colleges to develop new programs and identify partner institutions in China and set program goals and strategies. Learn more about the International Institute.

Alumni Association News

The Alumni Association and the U-M Office of the President recently hosted a visit to China. Key U-M leaders were in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai to meet with alumni, regional alumni volunteers and leaders at some of the University's partner educational institutions. Forums focused on current international issues, the Alumni Association and its alumni relations program as well as a review of the programs and partnerships that have been established over the past year. Find out more about the Chinese Alumni Relations Program.

The Alumni Association is committed to keeping you up to date on our efforts to build a global alumni program. We are better able to meet this goal if your contact information with the University is updated. You can update your University record online by filling out the University of Michigan Alumni Record Update at https://www.dac.dev.umich.edu/freeform/controller?event=WELCOME.

Did someone forward you this copy of e-TrueBlue: China? Make sure you receive your own copy by updating your University record online at https://www.dac.dev.umich.edu/freeform/controller?event=WELCOME.

If you have questions or problems updating your record, please send an email to dev.ARO@umich.edu.

Stay connected to the University, its alumni and students by using inCircle, the Alumni Association's online directory and networking community. All U-M alumni and students have access to inCircle, making it easy and convenient to find friends from Michigan, make personal and professional connections, and build your network with alumni from around the world. The first step is to log in and create your profile. Get started today at http://alumni.umich.edu/china/incircle.php.

Projects and Partnerships

• In July and August, U-M's Center for Chinese Studies will jointly organize an interdisciplinary graduate seminar with Peking and Tsinghua universities in Beijing. Building on the strength in interdisciplinary teaching at U-M where graduate seminars in Chinese studies focus on social science and humanity, the Beijing program emphasizes cultural immersion, interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogues. The seminar consists of two one-month sessions, taught by a team of professors from U-M, Peking and Tsinghua universities.
• A delegation of 25 China higher education leaders recently came to Ann Arbor. The group included 20 university presidents and five officials from the Ministry of Education. They met with U-M administrative and faculty leaders to discuss the management of a world-class research institution. The forum focused on areas such as strategic planning, research administration, graduate and professional education, academic excellence, diversity, and development and fundraising.
• The U-M office in China recently moved into new office space at Peking University. The 1,800-square-foot space includes two meeting rooms and 25 work stations for faculty and students. The UM-Peking Joint Institute office provides support for the University's growing number of international programs and partnerships with Peking University.

Alumni Spotlight

Since graduating from the U-M Ross School of Business in 2000, Daniell Chen has not only launched a successful career in Shanghai, but also two alumni organizations. The U-M MBA alumni group began in 2001 with only a few people, but it has since grown to more than 100 members. The group's goal is to provide a platform for all alumni to advance their lives, both professionally and personally. Monthly career and social events are planned and volunteers help recruit prospective college students interested in attending U-M. The second alumni group is the Shanghai MBA Network. It has more than 600 alumni members from 12 top US business schools, including U-M, Harvard, Yale and MIT. Read more about Chen and the U-M MBA alumni group.

Did You Know?

The Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan was founded in 1961. For more than 40 years, the center has been a world-renowned facility, providing valuable research and information about China, both traditional and contemporary. Situated within the University's International Institute, the mission of the center is to provide students, specialists and the public with expert resources and a deeper understanding of the country, its people and culture.

Club News and Events

The Alumni Association is interested in hearing about your U-M alumni events and programs. To list upcoming events in future issues of e-TrueBlue: China, send us an email at alumni.china@umich.edu and include:

• Name of event
• Day and time of event
• Location of event
• Contact name and information

If you have recently hosted an event, send us a brief summary about it and make sure to include a few pictures for our Web site. Entries must be received by Tuesday, July 18, in order to be included in the next issue, scheduled to be sent Tuesday, July 25.

If you are interested in getting involved with other U-M alumni in the Shanghai area or would like to know about upcoming club events, contact the Shanghai club at umchina@gmail.com. Outside the Shanghai area, contact alumni leaders in Beijing and Hong Kong. Contact information can be found at http://alumni.umich.edu/china/contacts.php.

This is a special issue of eTrueBlue: China, our newsletter communication for University of Michigan alumni in China.

As the Chinese Relations program continues to evolve, our goal is to update you on our efforts to build a global program that benefits the University and its faculty and students. If you would like to be on the permanent eTrueBlue: China mailing list, please send an email request to dgallo@umich.edu.

If you prefer not to receive the enewsletter, please send an email to MAlumni@umich.edu with a subject of REMOVE ETRUEBLUE CHINA. If you would prefer to receive the text-only version of this newsletter, send email to MAlumni@umich.edu.