The University of Tennessee Center for International Education is organizing a trip for UT faculty and administrators to visit three Chinese universities the week of June 2-13.

The faculty will travel to Tsinghua University in Beijing, Sichuan University in Chengdu and Shanghai University in Shanghai. "I hope it will continue, and not just to China, but to other countries."- Yang Zhong  

Yang Zhong, interim director for the Center for International Education, has high hopes of influencing UT with the 10-12 day trip.

Zhong has targeted three groups that he plans to send to China: UT faculty who have a research interest concerning China, UT students who want to study abroad in China and UT administrators who want to learn about the Chinese education system.

If the trip is successful, Zhong wants to see the same experience take place next year.

"If there are enough interests, then I think anyone can go individually or as a group," Zhong said. "I hope it will continue, and not just to China, but to other countries."

He said he hopes that after the trip the travelers will be interested in collaborating with other countries. He wants participants in the trip to develop stronger connections with others and better awareness of China.

The deadline for applying for the trips is Tuesday, April 10. For more information, call (865) 974-3177 or e-mail Zhong at yzhong@utk.edu.