Xianyang Polytechnic Institute (XYPI) signed a memorandum of understanding with Jackson College, a public community college in Michigan, during a visit by a three-member delegation led by Vice President Benjamin A. Valdez on Sept 24. The agreement establishes a framework for joint academic programs, faculty and student exchanges, and shared curriculum development, with nursing named as the first area of cooperation.
Feng Hua, vice president of XYPI, welcomed the delegation at a symposium joined by representatives from the Medical School and the International Exchange and Cooperation Office. She outlined the college's history, academic offerings and international partnerships, and called for concrete, results-oriented collaboration.
"We hope this visit marks the beginning of practical cooperation in academic development and joint talent training," Feng said. "Through mutual learning and shared resources, our two institutions can set an example for vocational education cooperation between China and the United States."
Valdez thanked XYPI for its hospitality and introduced Jackson College, founded in 1928, which offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs. He highlighted the college's strengths in health sciences and advanced manufacturing, including its state-of-the-art medical simulation center.
"Jackson College is deeply committed to building partnerships with Chinese institutions," Valdez said. "Through cooperative education, mutual credit recognition and joint curriculum design, we can open a broad range of growth opportunities for faculty and students at both colleges."
The two sides explored cooperation pathways in nursing and rehabilitation therapy before formally signing the MOU.
The visit also featured a cultural program tied to the Mid-Autumn Festival, which fell the following day. At the Early Childhood Education Practice Center, the delegation watched a shadow puppetry performance by students from the Normal School and a festive hand-gesture dance by kindergarten children. Guests were invited to sample mooncakes — the round pastries traditionally shared during the holiday — in a hands-on encounter with Chinese cultural traditions.
In the future, collaboration will begin with the nursing program cluster and gradually extend to other disciplines. The agreement opens a new chapter in XYPI's engagement with U.S. vocational education, as the college works to develop new models for cultivating globally competent technical professionals, advance the high-quality development of vocational education in both countries, and strengthen friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.