A global leader in innovative research and experiential education, Drexel University is blazing the trails forward through unique and diverse collaborations in China. The most recent and exciting manifestation of this pioneering spirit is the partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra on the historical 2012 Orchestra Residency Week and Tour in the People’s Republic of China.

A delegation of Drexel representatives, led by President John Fry, Provost Mark Greenberg and Vice Provost Julie Mostov will travel with the orchestra to Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai participating in educational programming, community outreach and student engagement. 

Global Philadelphia Association is proud to post excerpts of the chronicles of Drexel's Office of International Programs (OIP) during this momentous trip. For the full-text articles, please visit the OIP webpage at http://www.drexel.edu/international.

"Drexel in China" Chronicles

• June 7, 2012 -- Read about the momentous inauguration of the new, Drexel-SARI joint research center here. 

• June 6, 2012 -- Drexel University and the Pennsylvania Center in Shanghai celebrated the launch of the Mandarin Chinese translation of The Man Who Made Wall Street: Anthony J. Drexel and the Rise of Modern Finance with a participatory event led by University President John Fry and attended by students, alumni and partners. For President Fry's thoughts on the significance of this book, read the full story here.

• June 5, 2012 -- Drexel University President John Fry visited Tianjin, Philadelphia's Sister City and one of the world's largest and fastest growing economic centers. Tianjin is a base of China's advanced industry, financial reform, and innovation. This important visit by prominent city representatives such as Fry and Allison Vulgamore, President and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra, marks the beginning of a renewed and strengthened Sister City relationship between Philadelphia and Tianjin. For more on this important meeting and to view pictures of the visit, visit the full-text of this story here.

• May 30, 2012 The Philadelphia Orchestra celebrated the opening of the historic 2012 pilot residency and tour of China at The National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing. As the educational sponsor of the tour, Drexel University faculty, staff and alumni provide opportunities for learning and engagement for Chinese students and families. Read more about the opening days of the tour here.

Drexel enhances its global impact and fosters people to people diplomacy through exchanges, the arts and its distinctive international joint research center model. Recent examples of the joint research model include the Drexel SARI Research Center in Shanghai. and the Drexel-IDR Research HUB with Hebrew University. University roots in China run broad and deep, crossing geographic, disciplinary and industry boundaries. Drexel has formal partnerships with numerous academic and scientific institutions in China from academies of fine art and top universities to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Photos by Karl Seifert.