A UW-Madison delegation traveled to China Monday where it opened the UW-Madison Shanghai Innovation Office, which will function as an outpost for the university’s growing commitment to enhance educational opportunities in China.
The delegation is made of up UW-Madison representatives, including interim Chancellor David Ward along with other state and business officials. The group worked in conjunction with members of Minhang District of Shanghai to celebrate the opening.
China is the third most-popular location for students studying abroad at UW-Madison and opening the office will allow for increased study abroad and internship opportunities, according to Kerry Hill, the Communications Coordinator for the Division of International Studies.
“[China] is a country we cannot afford to ignore, and we want to ensure that UW students have opportunities to go there,” Hill said in an email.
Hill also said the new office will help with a wide range of other activities in China, such as coordinating academic and professional conferences, supporting new research collaborations and engaging with alumni.
While in China until June 20, the delegation will also take part in a two-day Innovation Conference and an Entrepreneurs Roundtable to build and maintain partnerships between the university and Chinese groups.
“UW-Madison already has wide range of connections and partnerships in China, and this office will provide a physical presence to support and expand those ties,” said Hill. “It will give the university a full-time face in this region, something that is important to building mutually beneficial relationships.”
The university and the Minhang district have agreed to a three-year commitment, with the expectation that the office will be able to produce its own revenue by the third year.
