Through the agreement, Yancheng Polytechnic College graduates can transfer to VU and earn a Bachelor of Science in Technology.

VU and YCPC leaders signed an articulation agreement during a virtual ceremony via Zoom on Nov. 18. The signing took place during International Education Week, which celebrated the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide from Nov. 15-19.

According to VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson, "Vincennes University is excited and honored to partner with Yancheng Polytechnic College. This agreement is the culmination of years of relationship building, shared values, and the mutual respect between our two institutions. So I am especially pleased that we are able to continue moving ahead together to build this partnership, despite the pandemic. Through this agreement, YCPC students will have an extraordinary opportunity to continue their education through a baccalaureate degree with VU. This agreement also builds on VU's existing partnerships and relationships in Yancheng, elsewhere in Jiangsu Province, and China."

Throughout the world, technology jobs are in high demand.

The VU Bachelor of Science Technology degree prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need for well-paying careers. Students develop enhanced skills in many technical areas, learn of research advancements in various technologies, and utilize modern technical applications. They also gain or enhance skills in ethics, leadership and supervision, quality management, problem-solving, and communication. 

Graduates of VU’s technology degree program will find employment opportunities in career fields that utilize project management and control; industrial applications including manufacturing; technical supervision; leadership and management; training and development; and other advanced technical specializations. 

Students who have graduated from VU with a bachelor’s degree in Technology have gone on to careers at Toyota; Marathon Oil; Cummins; John Deere; Land of Lakes Agriculture; Kimball International; Naval Surface Warfare Division, Crane Division; and more.

Additionally, many graduating bachelor’s degree students choose to earn graduate degrees at other higher education institutions in Indiana and beyond.

"VU values the partnerships we have with our international institutions,” Assistant Provost for Curriculum and Instruction Rick Kribs said. "VU has laid the groundwork, and Yancheng Polytechnic College students will have a seamless transfer pathway to VU. They will have access to high-quality educational opportunities that lead to in-demand careers and rewarding jobs."

VU and Yancheng Polytechnic College have an established history of collaboration.

YCPC representatives have hosted Johnson in China on three occasions. In 2018, VU welcomed a Yancheng Polytechnic College delegation to the Vincennes Campus for a four-day Cooperation Conference. During the conference, they signed an agreement committing their respective institutions to foster cooperation in the areas of education and research. VU was committed to hosting a YCPC delegation again. However, the visit was canceled due to the global pandemic.

VU and Yancheng Polytechnic College virtual signing ceremony. First row (l-r), VU B.S. Degree Programs Chairman Terry Nicoletti; VU University Life Reporter Marcia Martinez; and VU Academic Fellow Ze "Wade" Chen. Second row, YCPC leaders and representatives; VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson; and VU College of Technology Dean Ty Freed. Third row, VU Assistant Provost for Curriculum and Instruction Rick Kribs.

"The partnership between Yancheng Polytechnic College and Vincennes University is a testament to the dedication of Vincennes University to provide educational opportunities for students around the world," VU College of Technology Dean Ty Freed said. "Vincennes University and the College of Technology look forward to meeting our new students and building strong relationships into the future."

First row (l-r), B.S. Degree Programs Chairman Terry Nicoletti; University Life Reporter Marcia Martinez; and VU Academic Fellow Ze "Wade" Chen. Second row, YCPC leaders and representatives; President Dr. Chuck Johnson; and College of Technology Dean Ty Freed. Third row, Assistant Provost for Curriculum and Instruction Rick Kribs.

The U.S. Departments of State and Education recently expressed a "renewed U.S. commitment to international education" and the benefits of global academic engagement.

The statement noted students, researchers, scholars, and educators benefit when they engage with peers from around the world, whether overseas or through international education at home, and that all Americans need to be equipped with global and cultural competencies to navigate the ever-changing landscapes of education, international business, scientific discovery and innovation, and the global economy.

About Yancheng Polytechnic College

Yancheng Polytechnic College is a full-time public higher education institution located in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, on the east coast of China, and the north flank of the Yangtze River Delta. With a land area of 17,000 square kilometers and a population of 8.26 million, Yancheng is endowed with the largest beach and wetland in China's coastal area.

There are more than 10 schools under the College’s direct supervision, including the School of Textiles and Garment, the School of Intelligent Manufacturing, the School of Economics and Trade Management, the School of Art and Design, the School of Automotive and Transportation, the School of Architectural Engineering, the School of Pharmacy and Health, the School of Information and Security, the School of International Education, and the School of Further Education. YCPC offers more than 50 majors in nine categories, including Textile, Garment, Mechatronics, Automobile, Architecture, Trade, Accounting, Pharmacy, and Design. It has more than 500 full-time teachers, over 300 part-time teachers from enterprises, nearly 9,000 students, and enrolls more than 200 international students each year.

YCPC has earned honors, including Top 50 Higher Vocational Colleges in China with International Influences, Top 50 Higher Vocational Colleges in Asia-Pacific Region with International Influences, and Advanced Group of Education for International Students in Jiangsu Province.

About Vincennes University - Indiana’s First College

VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper, the Aviation Technology Center and American Sign Language program in Indianapolis, Early College Career and Technical Education Centers, and additional sites such as the Gene Haas Training and Education Center in Lebanon, the Logistics Training and Education Center in Plainfield, and the Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics in Fort Branch. VU offers online degrees and classes to students who need access to college courses and flexibility through its Distance Education.

A leader in dual credit and career and technical education statewide, VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.

In addition to offering a wide range of associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, health care services administration, secondary education programs in mathematics and science, and special education/elementary education.

VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 35 other states, and 21 other countries. Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls. VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory. More information is available at www.vinu.edu.

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