The University of Michigan has faced calls to terminate its joint institute with Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) in China. Lawmakers have also urged the university to be prohibited from using state funding to support this collaboration.
Last year, five Chinese nationals enrolled at the University of Michigan were accused of concealing a late-night visit to a military facility in Michigan.
The partnership between the University of Michigan and SJTU, established in 2006, is designed to “develop a new generation of leaders capable of collaboration and innovation in a global setting,” according to the program’s website. Originally focused on engineering, the collaboration has since grown to include various schools and departments at the University of Michigan, such as business, science, and the School of Information.
Each year, over 150 SJTU students participate in dual degree or joint graduate programs at the University of Michigan.
Earlier last year, the Georgia Institute of Technology announced the termination of its relationship with the Georgia Tech Shenzhen Institute (GTSI), a joint venture with Tianjin University. The decision included shutting down its degree programs in Shenzhen, China’s technology hub.
