New York Universities to Give 150 Chinese Students a Free Education

Under a new humanitarian-minded initiative, the State University of New York system will pay for the education-related costs of 150 Chinese students from Sichuan Province for two semesters, according to a SUNY press release (“SUNY Hosts Undergraduates From Sichuan Province, China,” July 31, 2008).

In return for their no-cost SUNY education, the selected students will return to their earthquake-stricken province to help rebuild the region’s economy and infrastructure.

The Chinese students will study at one of 22 participating SUNY schools beginning this fall. Through the SUNY China 150 Program, supported by both the U.S. Department of State and China’s Premier Wen Jiabao, the selected Chinese students, mostly college juniors and seniors, will be individually placed at a participating SUNY campus based on their academic interests.

The students, 10 percent of whom are from ethnic minority groups that live in quake-affected areas, were selected by SUNY academic leaders and Beijing’s Ministry of Education. Students were chosen from among four of China’s national universities for their academic achievements and English-language abilities.

“SUNY will provide these students with valuable leadership training, which will help prepare them to return to China to assist with rebuilding efforts and the aftermath of the earthquake,” said New York Governor David Paterson in a press release. “SUNY’s deep educational ties with China allow our state university campuses to play a global role – and to be at the forefront of international educational experiences.”

The university system has been collaborating with Chinese universities for more than 25 years, said John Clark, SUNY’s interim chancellor.

SUNY plans to raise $5 million from private donors to cover the students’ tuition and living expenses. All visa and travel costs will be paid for by the Chinese government.

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