Signing ceremony between CERNET Education and UWM

On December 6, 2011, in the depths of the Beijing winter, the chilly air did little to affect the enthusiasm over the start of cooperation and exchanges in the Sino-US education communities. On the 28^th floor of CERNET Tower in the Tsinghua Science Park, the signing ceremony between CERNET Education and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was witnessed by delegations from the state and municipal governments, a representative from the U.S. Embassy also attended the occasion.



According to the U.S. Open Door report in 2011, the total number of Chinese students studying in America has reached 157,558, an increase of 23.3% from 2010. Among these are 56,976 undergraduate students, an increase of 43% from last year; 76,830 graduate students, a rise of 16%. The total figures make up about 22% of America’s international students. For the past four consecutive years, with a rate of over 20%, China has become the largest source for international students going to the U.S.

In early 2011, the two countries issued a joint statement in which the U.S. pledged to continue to provide students in China a more convenient visa application process to welcome more Chinese students in the U.S. This high-profile dialogue between governments of the two nation has given a steady boost to the sound development of Sino-US. Education cooperation. To  further deepen exchanges, Chancellor Dr. Mike Lovell and the delegation from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee visited CERNET Education in Beijing. Joining Dr. Lovell on the trip was Mr. Jim Doyle, former governor of Wisconsin, who plays an active role in cultural exchanges there; Mr. Tom Barret, mayor of Milwaukee; Mr. Tim Sheehy, president of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce; and other distinguished guests from the fields of education and commerce.

The cooperation agreement initiated a dual-admission program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Wisconsin International Academy, a method which duplicates and localizes the CERNET Education’s UMASS-MAIA program.  UWM-WIA program provides Chinese students a new avenue to study abroad.



Wisconsin is situated in Great Lakes region, in the American Midwest. The University of Wisconsin is member of the Association of American Universities and one of the most famous public universities in U.S. The University of Wisconsin system boasts thirteen universities and thirteen community colleges.  Altogether these campuses rank the third among public universities and eighth in teaching quality among universities throughout the country.  Seventy programs at the university are ranked in the top 10, and according to U.S. News & World Report rankings the school itself is ranked 45^th.

As a part of the agreement, CERNET Education and UWM will work together in the recruitment of Chinese students. CERNET Education will also establish a Wisconsin International Academy (WIA) in Milwaukee to provide intensive English programs, designed by UWM, as well as support services for international students. Students with limited English proficiency have the option of receiving dual admission from UWM and WIA. They can begin their bachelor’s/master’s degree program at UWM after studying in WIA for an academic year or one semester. WIA also provides students accommodation and extra-curricular activities for a smooth transition.