FSU College of Communication and Information (CCI) Dean, Dr. Larry Dennis, CCI Associate Dean and John H. Phipps Professor of Communication, Dr. Stephen McDowell, and James E. Kirk Professor of Communication, Dr. Arthur Raney, hosted faculty members from one of China’s leading sports journalism programs on Nov. 21.  The guests from Chengdu Sport University (CSU) included Assistant Professor and current FSU visiting scholar, Dr. Wei Wei, Department of Journalism Dean, Dr. Hao Qin, and Senior Lecturer, Zeng Wenli.  They discussed the prospect of cooperative agreements between CCI and CSU, including possible exchange programs with graduate students and visiting scholars.

“CSU would like to establish a long-term cooperation and collaboration with the FSU School of Communication so we can understand each other and exchange mutual benefits,” said Dean Hao, speaking through an interpreter.

The visitors spent much of the day touring FSU, including the School of Communication and Seminole Production facilities, both located in Doak Campbell Stadium.  “We are really impressed after seeing the stadium, and the on-campus facilities are fantastic,” remarked Dean Hao.

The exchange represents another step in a growing relationship between the two universities.  CSU hosted Raney for an international conference on sports media in 2011.  Raney then welcomed Wei to the School of Communication as a 12-month visiting scholar in February 2013.  “We look forward to achieving a frame memorandum of cooperation, especially on research and exchange,” said Wei, in preparation for his colleagues’ visit.

As an FSU visiting scholar, Wei attended and guest-lectured in numerous communication courses.  He also conducted a tremendous amount of research, publishing one book—for which Raney wrote the foreward—and 11 journal articles and book chapters in either English or Chinese.

CSU is the only institution of higher education located in southwest China to train students as print and broadcast sports journalists.  Dean Hao helped to found the program in sports journalism and communication at CSU in the late 1990s.  Today, the department is home to the Chinese Association for Sports Journalism and Communication with 180 members from different schools and media in China.  Additionally, the department has developed academic relationships and agreements with schools and universities in 20 countries.