The University of Houston is the United States’ most ethnically diverse research university. The Central University for Nationalities of Beijing is China’s most diverse university.

It is no wonder that these two universities would find much in common. It is particularly noteworthy that the Chinese university would bestow a rare honor, the title “Honorary Professors of Education,” on University of Houston System Regent Thad “Bo” Smith and on his wife, Josanna, at a special July commencement ceremony.

UHS Regent Thad “Bo” Smith and his wife, Josanna, visit with high-level Changchun officials, including Vice Mayor Xiaoping Chang.

The Smiths were honored and spoke at the 2004 commencement honoring 3000 graduates at which Vice Minister for State Nationalities Affairs Commission Benli Mu spoke. Mu is responsible for all issues facing the nation’s 55 different ethnic minority groups. Central University President ShiXing Rong recognized Bo for his work in higher education with the UH System and Josanna for her work with WWW UNITED, INC., a nonprofit organization she founded after 9/11 that works to get needed educational supplies and innovations to students in poor countries and areas. Josanna spent the earlier part of her summer bringing learning boards, handheld chalkboards made by her volunteers in Houston, to children in Afghanistan. The Smiths, Rong, Yali Zou, professor and director of the Asian American Studies Center, and also discussed future collaborations with Central University and the UH System.

The Smiths also were recognized at a welcome dinner at the Beijing Hotel hosted by high-level Chinese officials as a special show of hospitality and friendship to the UH visitors. Zou also escorted the Smiths on their trip through China. Zou, who also holds an honorary professor title at Central University, leads groups of faculty, students and university officials through China each summer on a study mission.

One of the trip’s highlights was to the city of Changchun, the center of Chinese automotive and film industries. The Smiths were hosted at a banquet with Vice Mayor Xiaoping Chang and toured the National High Technology Development Zone, where the nation’s primary research is occurring.

Bo found the possibilities nearly endless for future cooperation and work.

“It is imperative that the University of Houston System find new ways to partner on international initiatives and reach out across the world to prepare our students for the realities of a global economy. We saw many opportunities for the future during our brief stay,” he said.

“This was the most amazing opportunity I’ve ever seen, and we’ve lived all over the world,” Josanna said. “The growth spurt and economic boom in China is like a paradigm shift for them, and it will impact the world in that way too; by far, the largest I’ve ever seen. I really believe we’ve helped open doors for UH that could be one of the biggest things to ever happen to our university and our system. I believe we left them with a feeling of trust and friendship that will serve us well as a university and as a nation.”

Zou also emphasized the relationships that are developing.

“It is important to vigorously promote international education both in the United States and in China. It is important for both countries to better understand each other’s culture and society and to work more closely together,” she explained. “This kind of exchange gives our students a big vision of their opportunities in a global community.”

These new international connections already are paying off. A contingent from the Central University for Nationalities in Beijing visited UH in August, including Rong along with the deans of international education and the graduate school, and the co-dean of the school of administration.

In addition to meeting again with the Smiths and Zou, the Chinese delegation met with Jay Gogue, UH System chancellor and UH president; Jerald Strickland, interim UHS senior vice chancellor/ UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost; Elaine Charlson, associate vice chancellor/associate vice president for academic affairs; and Marco Mariotto, graduate and professional studies dean. They discussed the cooperation between the two universities, potential faculty and student exchange programs and their visions for global education. To complete their visit, the Smiths treated the delegation to a Texas barbecue.