Lone Star College partners with cultural exchange organization, creates global educational program

Lone Star College System and the Shanghai Oriental Chinese Education Development Center (SOCEDC) carried out a memorandum on June 11 to form the Sino–U.S. Education and Cultural Exchange.

The agreement will create global educational program content such as student exchange, ESL and leadership training and workforce development.

“There is an increasing interest in the American community college system from all around the globe,” said Richard Carpenter, LSCS chancellor, in a press release. “China in particular is interested in our ability to train oil and gas technicians, who are badly needed for oilfield operations.”

The center, called the Texas Center, will be located at the LSC–University Park campus.

“Students can complete a high school diploma from iSchool High and at the same time take classes toward an industry certificate or associate degree from LSC-University Park,” said Shah Ardalan, CEO of LSC-University Park, in the press release. “In addition, students can continue and earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree from one of our four university partners located in the same facility.”

The partnership between LSC and Shanghai was structured around a business model created by Michael Mathews, the chief strategist for innovation and entrepreneurship at LSC–University Park. Director of SOCEDC, Jianhong Sheng, agreed to the partnership early after discussing the business model with LSC.

SOCEDC is a nonprofit organization that establishes cultural exchange programs and expands overseas communication to promote Chinese culture and traditions.

For more information about LSC, visit lonestar.edu.