The College of Staten Island (CSI) continues its longstanding and important connection with China with its New Leaders for 21st Century Training Program focusing on American topics.

This non-traditional program brought three visiting scholars from China’s Shanghai Education Center for Administrators Program to CSI. Since August 15, 2005, the scholars have explored all aspects of American society and conducted research associated with their individual goals. The exchange is sponsored by the Shanghai municipal government and has been conducted since 2001 by the College of Staten Island, a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY).

On Wednesday, February 8 at 2:30 p.m., the leaders from Shanghai will give a presentation entitled “Shanghai Today” in the CSI Center for the Arts at 2800 Victory Boulevard in the Willowbrook section of Staten Island. The event is free and open to the public.

The training programs at CSI are designed for leaders based in Shanghai who are slated for upward mobility. The current group of three scholars has been living with Staten Island residents for the past six months and is now preparing to return home. They have been improving their English, sitting in courses, attending conferences and participating in activities intended to prepare them to work effectively with Americans when they return to Shanghai. During their stay they have also traveled extensively around New York and the U.S.

Participants include: Mr. Jiahe Song, Ms. Weiwan Xu, and Mr. Pengyu Zhang

Biographies:

Mr. Jiahe Song (Robert)
Mr. Song has been the Director of the subdivision office of the Zhoujia Qiao District Changning Government in Shanghai since 1998. Prior to that, he was a Chariman of the Youth Union of Changning District from 1992 to 1998. He was also a teacher at Shanghai Fudan Middle School from 1986 to 1992. He received his master’s degree in Political Education at Shanghai Normal University. He serves as the head of this delegation. Robert is interested in doing research for different kinds of services offered to the local community. He attended the “China at a Conference” at Harvard University, spent a Thanksgiving holiday in an Amish community in Pennsylvania and visited several local libraries in Staten Island. He also trained in the Global Career and Education Program from Metro International, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing programs for the international students and scholars in the New York metropolitan area. Mr. Song also delivered a presentation about Shanghai, China to the new CSI High School for International Studies as well as to the CSI community.

Ms. Weiwan Xu (Vivian)
Ms. Xu has been the Chairwoman of the Youth Federation of Shanghai Xuhui District since 2000. Prior to that, she was Secretary of the Culture Bureau of Shanghai Xuhui District. She received her master’s degree in Management of Public Administration at Shanghai Jiaotong University, and a bachelor’s degree in Classical Chinese Literature at Shanghai Normal University. Vivian’s research interests are in the area of extra-curricular activities of youth in the U.S. She attended the “China at a Conference” at Harvard University, and visited several local libraries in Staten Island. She visited the Staten Island Girl Scout Service Center and plans to visit the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York in Manhattan. She was trained in the Global Career and Education Program from Metro International, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing programs for the international students and scholars in New York metropolitan area. Ms. Xu delivered several presentations about Shanghai, China to various educational institutions, including the new CSI High School for International Studies, the Manhattan International High School as well as to the CSI community. She also plans to attend a board meeting for Staten Island Community 1 and to speak with a representative of one of the unions, DC 37, at CSI.

Mr. Pengyu Zhang (Roc)
Mr. Zhang is currently a Vice-Director of the Youth Federation in Minhang District of Shanghai, a position he has held since 2001. He also worked as a public servant of the Meilong Town Government from 1998 to 2001. He received his master’s degree in Business Administration at East China University of Science and Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Industry Administration at Shanghai Electrical College. Roc is interested in exploring more opportunities for young adults in their academic and professional fields of interest. He attended the “China at a Conference” at Harvard University, spent a Thanksgiving holiday in an Amish community in Pennsylvania and visited several local libraries in Staten Island. He also was trained in the Global Career and Education Program from Metro International, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing programs for the international students and scholars in New York metropolitan area. Mr. Zhang also delivered a presentation about Shanghai, China to the new CSI High School for International Studies as well as to the CSI community.