On the morning of January 5, 2021, at 9:00 AM, the School of Psychology at Shenzhen University and Springfield College in the United States successfully held an online signing ceremony for the “2+2” Undergraduate Dual Degree Program via video conference. Attendees included Yao Zhengwu, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Faculty of Education (Teachers College) at Shenzhen University; Zhou Yongdi, Dean of the School of Psychology; Jiao Can, Vice Dean; Zou Liye, Vice Dean; Zhou Xiaobo, Undergraduate Teaching Secretary; Zhang Li, Office Administrator; Wu Dan, Lecturer in the Department of Applied Psychology; Martha A. Potvin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of Springfield College; Wesley Church, Dean of the School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences; Deborah Alm, Director of the International Center; Heather St. Germaine, Associate Director of the International Center; Elizabeth Morgan, Chair of the Department of Psychology; and Juan Zhong, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. The ceremony was hosted by Jiang Ronghuan, Foreign Affairs Secretary of the School of Psychology.
Mr. Jiang Ronghuan introduced the participants from both sides and provided a brief overview of the progress of the “2+2” Undergraduate Dual Degree Program.
Secretary Yao Zhengwu delivered a speech at the signing ceremony. Secretary Yao expressed his great pleasure at being invited to attend and noted that this online signing ceremony officially marked the beginning of the collaboration between Shenzhen University’s psychology and sports programs and Springfield College. Secretary Yao emphasized his hope that this agreement would foster positive interactions between the two institutions and their respective programs, leading to significant advancements in both the development of the programs and the training of students. He expressed confidence that, through joint efforts, the program would achieve healthy and sustainable development.
Martha A. Potvin, Vice President and Provost of Springfield College, expressed gratitude and trust toward the School of Psychology at Shenzhen University during the ceremony. Professor Potvin remarked that the signing ceremony symbolized the formal establishment of a new partnership between Springfield College and the School of Psychology at Shenzhen University, marking a historic moment. With the implementation of this collaborative program, participating students from Shenzhen University will have the opportunity to spend two years studying on Springfield College’s beautiful campus, completing and earning their undergraduate degree in psychology.
Springfield College has trained a large number of international students worldwide and is deeply committed to fostering leadership and service-oriented qualities in its students. This is achived through a holistic approach that addresses their spiritual, psychological, and physical well-being. This educational philosophy and mission have been upheld since the establishment of its first international class in the early 20th century. Shenzhen University students participating in this program will experience this philosophy while also gaining rich exposure to American culture and society.
Professor Potvin emphasized that Springfield College aims to make Shenzhen University students proud to be part of this collaborative program. To achieve this, the college will spare no effort in nurturing Shenzhen University students as if they were their own. She also expressed her eagerness to welcome a delegation from Shenzhen University to visit Springfield College for exchange activities in the near future.
Following this, the online signing ceremony officially began. After confirming the document numbers of the agreement, Secretary Yao Zhengwu and Professor Martha A. Potvin each signed the bilingual project cooperation agreement in Chinese and English. They then displayed their signed copies in front of the camera as a gesture of confirmation.
After the signing was completed, Vice Dean Zou Liye of the School of Psychology extended his best wishes for the success of the project and expressed hopes for deeper future collaboration between both institutions, particularly in master’s and doctoral programs in psychology. Professor Zou also highlighted Springfield College’s long-standing history in cultivating talent in sports and looked forward to future collaborations between the School of Physical Education at Shenzhen University and Springfield College.
Elizabeth Morgan, Chair of the Department of Psychology at Springfield College, also expressed her gratitude to all participants and shared her thoughts on future long-term cooperation. Professor Morgan stated that the “2+2” Undergraduate Dual Degree Program jointly conducted by the School of Psychology at Shenzhen University and the Department of Psychology at Springfield College is merely the starting point of their partnership. She envisioned future collaborations in areas such as faculty academic seminars, graduate education, and programs like the Clinical Counseling Master’s Program, fostering continued exchange and cooperation.
Finally, Dean Zhou Yongdi of the School of Psychology delivered the closing remarks. Dean Zhou emphasized the significance of the signing ceremony, marking the first substantial international collaboration between the school and Springfield College. He expressed optimism that the program would greatly contribute to the development of undergraduate education at the school and looked forward to broader collaborations in the future. He also eagerly anticipated a visit from a Springfield College delegation to Shenzhen University after the pandemic subsides.
Dean Zhou noted that the pandemic had presented unprecedented challenges, but the school’s efforts toward international collaboration had not wavered. From the first meeting between the two sides on October 22, 2020, to the drafting, revision, and finalization of the cooperation agreement, through various levels of approval at both institutions, and culminating in the virtual signing ceremony, the entire process took just 75 days. This reflects the school’s efficiency and determination to advance international partnerships.
The success of this signing ceremony would not have been possible without the strong support and attention of the faculty leadership, as well as the hard work of the school’s faculty and staff. The School of Psychology will continue to deepen its international collaborations, further enhancing the school’s global education standards and influence.
