Haiping Zhang (associate professor from the Department of Philosophy) & Gang Li (associate professor from the Department of Politics) recently came back from the U.S., after concluding a six-month program as visiting scholar at The Carter Center (TCC).

The intent of the six-month program is to equip BAC’s faculty members with the knowledge and tools needed to build the capacity of first-class administrative college in China and to broaden their international horizon. In addition, it lays the foundation for BAC’s scholars and their U.S. hosts to develop long-term institutional relationships and to identify areas of cooperation that can be sustained beyond the six-month period.  As a host institution, TCC provided access to the same facilities offered to its staff, including: office, computer, libraries, online catalogs, electronic journals and resources.

As a visiting scholar, Prof. Zhang focused his research on the culture development of world city while Prof. Li spent his sabbatical working on Civic Education. They collected a lot of data, attended numerous seminars and workshops held at TCC and the other universities as well as struck up a close friendship with U.S. academics.

One of the accomplishments during their visit was to observe United States presidential election, 2012. The two scholars participated in the Election Observation Mission established by TCC. With 12 mission members, they were deployed shortly to major cities in U.S to watch the election campaign including the pep rally, the political campaign, the administrative preparations and Get-out-the-vote (GOTV). 

The two visiting scholars have taken back the knowledge and experience to BAI and will exploit them in their teaching and research in the future. 

Haiping Zhang takes a photo with Jimmy Carter and his wife

Gang Li with Jimmy Carter and his wife

The two visiting scholars met with John Hardman (President of TCC) and his wife

A photo with staff of TCC China Program

The associate professor Haiping Zhang was giving a presentation on Hong Kong politics for CP staff

The associate professor Gang Li was making his presentation on the relationship between China and Zambia for CP staff

Visiting Harvard Yen-ching Institute

Attending GOP’s post-election rally