Jefferson Porter’s Blog

In June 2010, U-M President Mary Sue Coleman and a group of University leaders and faculty are paying a special visit to University friends and supporters in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. Associate Vice President for Development Jefferson Porter shares his impressions of the trip as it happens:

• follow his blog: read up-to-the-minute reports and see photos from the visit in real time;
• offer your suggestions on how UM can build strong relationships with its Chinese partners; and
• support UM-China ties by making a gift to President Coleman’s Donor Challenge: Enriching The Student Global Experience.

President Coleman discusses U.S.-China cooperation with Chinese State Councilor Liu

Partners: President Coleman and Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong (photo: Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese media gave prominent coverage to our meeting July 1 with State Councilor Liu Yandong. Madame Liu praised Michigan’s cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Chinese universities, including Peking University and Shanghai Jiaotong University. The considerable planning that went into this meeting paid off as the high-level discussion was a success and a very important step in UM’s continuing efforts to build relationships in China.

President Coleman was accompanied to the meeting by Professor Ken Lieberthal, Deans David Munson (Engineering) and Terrence McDonald (LS&A), Professors Jun Ni and Mary Gallagher and UM China Initiatives Coordinator Jen Zhu.

Select coverage of the event in both Chinese and English (including video):

Video from CCTV-1 (Chinese television network)

Chinese-language coverage on China’s government website

English-language story from the Xinhua News Agency

Hong Kong to Shanghai

Traveling party sans blogger…

For the first time the traveling party was relatively intact and on-time as we made our way at 6:30AM from the hotel to Hong Kong International Airport. That is until your flaky blogger discovered 10 minutes before the flight that his passport was not in its trusted pocket. Not anywhere near the Michigan pyre of carry-ons. Party proceeds to Shanghai (picture). Back in HK, someone reports flaky blogger passport as found. Flake drifts into Shanghai, onto 1 hr bus w/ no effective air treatment whatsoever but lots of Celine Dion, into cab and arrives chastened and indistinguishable from a kitchen mop @ hotel (no picture!)

Hong Kong Alumni Reception

(L to R) Rich Rogel, Steve Grafton and Dr. Paul W.T. Poon PhD82

Zunheng Lai (center) entering his final year at Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning with his parents and Rich Rogel and Jefferson Porter

(L to R) Rich Rogel, Steve Grafton and Dr. Paul W.T. Poon PhD82

Hundreds of alumni celebrated together yesterday afternoon at the J.W. Marriott at Pacific Place.  While they were disappointed to miss President Coleman and others whose flight was delayed, the mood was celebratory.

Hong Kong June 27, 2010

Rain rain and rain.....

Interview with Phoenix TV

President Coleman is interviewed for Phoenix TV in Hong Kong by Sheng-yang Chiang (BA ’99, CommStudies).  Shen, who connected with Jen Zhu over Facebook, was super helpful and accomodating of our pinball schedule.  Thank you Shen and and best wishes to you and Lily on your upcoming wedding.

Behind the scenes interview prep

Sheng, the skilled interviewer, is a proud U-M alumnus

President Coleman offered her best wishes to Sheng and his future wife, Lily

Hong Kong: Conversation with Students and Parents

Parents and students in Hong Kong gave us a gracious welcome at the first conversation of the trip Sunday afternoon in Hong Kong.  Standing in for President Coleman, Dean David Munson and Director of Admissions Ted Spencer–whose flight was delayed by almost two days–were Steve Grafton, CEO of the Alumni Association; Rich Rogel, who chaired The Michigan Difference fundraising campaign; and Mary Gallagher, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Chinese Studies. Taking center stage was Engineering sophomore Jonathan Or, who dispensed wisdom and campus morsels.

Thank you all for coming and for your great questions.

Congratulations: UM Solar Car Team wins American Solar Challenge

http://solarcar.engin.umich.edu/content/michigan-wins-fsgp