AAU-CSU Strategic Partnership

University-level Strategic Partnership: AAU-CSU

The AAU-CSU strategic partnership represents a new dimension for China-U.S. university collaborations. Colorado State University is collaborating with Anhui Agricultural University to expand Extension capacity and programs, and to develop additional curriculum and training for both U.S. and Chinese Extension services. Together, the partners will work to develop joint research, technology transfer, and scholarship projects for rural economic and community development, which will serve as a portal to connect CSU and its partners with other Anhui province universities, local businesses, and Ministry of Agricultural Extension programs in the region. AAU currently hosts a Chinese central government rural demonstration site to develop innovations in agricultural Extension, research, and rural business.

Colorado State University logo These efforts are in line with CSU’s strategic plan, which encourages global impact and the translation of discoveries into products of knowledge, creative artistry, and innovation. This cross-cultural development and modernization could lead to advanced technology transfers, creating opportunities for both China and the U.S., especially in the field of agriculture as the development of more effective and efficient transfer of agricultural products and food system technologies emerge.

The partnership has three primary components:

Joint research undertaken by CSU and AAU Extension programs;
Student exchanges: A 2+2 undergraduate degree program for students who intend to study at both universities;
Faculty/Academic exchange: Semester or year-long research opportunities in host departments for visiting scholars.

AAU & CSU Lead Sino-U.S. Agricultural Alliance Effort

CSU and AAU are leading the development of a larger, U.S. and Chinese university partnership to advance agricultural research and technology transfer through university-based Extension.

U.S. University Partners: University of California System; University of Hawaii; Iowa State University; University of Maryland; University of Missouri; University of Nebraska; Oregon State University; Purdue University; Virginia Tech University; Colorado State University.

Chinese University Partners: China Agricultural University; Northwest A & F University; Nanjing Agricultural University; Zhejiang University; Huazhong Agricultural University; Northeast Agricultural University; Shenyang Agricultural University; Sichuan Agricultural University; Hunan Agricultural University; Anhui Agricultural University.

AAU & CSU Internal University Partners

Units at AAU supporting the AAU-CSU strategic partnership include the Vice President for International Affairs; New Rural Area Development Institute; Vice President for Research; and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Units at CSU supporting the AAU-CSU strategic partnership include the Vice President Office of Engagement; CSU Extension; CSU Online; the Cancer Prevention Laboratory, College of Agricultural Sciences; Office of International Programs; Department of Ecosystem Sciences and Sustainability; and the Office of the Vice President for Research. Representatives from these units meet regularly at CSU as the “Anhui Working Group.”