46
academic freedom and
transparency in their teaching, research,
and discussions with the students in China. Discussions regarding
learning objectives for degree programs, majors, and individual
courses have all been given and accepted in an atmosphere of
transparency.
China’s new leader, Xi Jinping, has
made no secret of his ambi-
tions to revitalize China and increase her influence on the global
stage, as you have stated earlier, Mr. Chairman. President Xi has
made it clear that he wants to build an innovative society with
strong tech firms that compete internationally. Fort Hays State
University was selected and approved to deliver the first American
bachelor’s degree to Chinese
students on mainland China, and I be-
lieve that because of that and because of the strength of our cur-
riculum we are highlighting to China and the students all that is
great in America.
The challenges that we have faced have been addressed together
with our Chinese partners under the auspices of their respective
education commissions, and we have
protected the academic free-
dom and integrity of our programs. I believe that the greatest out-
come of the relationships are our Chinese students’ expanded
knowledge of the world and the United States. The Chinese stu-
dents have similar aspirations to those of the U.S. students: To be
engaged in their communities, to own their own businesses, to be
successful leaders and role models for their families, and to im-
prove our world.
Tom
Friedman in his book, ‘‘The World Is Flat,’’ writes that stu-
dents who have the facility of two languages, have a cultural expe-
rience in another country, and use technology to communicate
worldwide are true citizens of the world.
They are equipped and
ready to change the world in a positive way.
As I conclude, I would like to leave you with some final thoughts.
From the early days of our Republic, our forefathers recognized the
value of a widely and highly educated citizenry to the success and
stability of our Nation. Indeed, we have created a system of public
and private higher education that is the worldwide standard for
academic excellence. As
an immigrant to this country, sir, I submit
to you that we, as a Nation, need to go back to those roots. We
need to return to the guiding principles established by our Found-
ing Fathers that support and deliver a superb education because it
is essential to the common good.
This year the Chinese Government mandated that English be a
required course in middle school. They
are committed to educating
the citizenry to do business in the global marketplace. We need to
do the same. We need to look beyond our current status and recog-
nize that knowing how to do business in the East, that knowing
how to do business in the world will be a determining factor in the
prosperity of our children and the success of our Nation. Fort Hays
State University stands ready to continue
to build bridges that con-
nect and educate our world.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, distinguished Members of
the House of Representatives.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Martin follows:]
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