On June 26, The University of Tulsa (UTulsa) welcomed six representatives from China University of Petroleum (CUP)-Beijing to its campus led by Vice President Guangqing Zhang. The visit marked a significant milestone as both institutions signed an agreement to collaborate on the JumpstartTU program, further strengthening their commitment to providing transformative international experiences for students.
“We are honored to welcome a delegation from China University of Petroleum – Beijing, a longtime partner of The University of Tulsa. We see great opportunities for student exchange, faculty exchange, and research collaboration, and look forward to building on this outstanding visit from the delegation,” University of Tulsa Provost George Justice said. “We believe this kind of exchange of information and culture is important to changing the world in the future.”
This partnership commenced in 2007 and has become a cornerstone of international exposure for UTulsa students. The visit highlighted a deeper understanding of UTulsa’s program offerings and research initiatives, exploring opportunities for student exchange programs and finalizing the commitment to the JumpstartTU China initiative. “I am very excited to be here because The University of Tulsa has the best petroleum group in the United States,” said Dr. Yongcun Feng, deputy director of the International Affairs Office at CUP-Beijing. “We have built a strong relationship with the university.”
CUP is a prestigious institution recognized as the top petroleum university in China. With a student body of 27,000, CUP is renowned for its excellence in petroleum and energy-related disciplines, offering cutting-edge research and comprehensive education in these critical fields. A group of UTulsa undergraduate and graduate students attended CUP’s summer program led by UTulsa professor Thomas Buoye.
“The long-standing partnership has been instrumental in broadening our students’ global perspectives and enhancing their academic experiences,” said Andreas Polycarpou, Ph.D., dean of UTulsa’s College of Engineering & Computer Science. “This collaboration provides our students with invaluable opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research and cultural exchange and also strengthens the bonds between our institutions, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of our interconnected world.”
JumpstartTU is a one-week international experience designed to introduce students to UTulsa’s academic and campus life through a transformative program. With experiences currently in Mexico, Panama, and Germany, China is a seamless addition. This program aims to build curiosity and excitement about higher education while emphasizing engagement with local partner organizations. JumpstartTU exposes students to the importance of collaborating with various experts to learn about global issues, unique biodiversities, global trade, world consumption, international cultures, and more.