Ms. Julia Chang Bloch, President of the US China Education Trust and the former US ambassador to Nepal, visited Shandong University on November 22nd with her delegation, and signed the Shandong University—Us-China Education Trust “China Opportunity Scholarships” Memorandum of Cooperation with the Vice President of Shandong University Lou Hongxiang.

During the meeting, Lou expressed his appreciation for the “China Opportunity Scholarships” project of providing assistance to the outstanding students with financial difficulties in Shandong University and introduced the basic information of the school. He also delivered his wish for further cooperation with US-China Education Trust and support from it.

Bloch said that she was very glad to go back to China, especially Shandong Province, where she was born, and she has been long expecting to cooperating with Shandong University and offer more support to the students in need with the help of US-China Education Trust.

Then the two sides signed the “China Opportunity Scholarships” Memorandum of Cooperation and promised a long lasting cooperation in this project. The Director of Student Affairs Department of Shandong University Qu Mingjun and Director of International Affairs of Shandong University Zou Nan also participated in the meeting and the signing ceremony.

After the ceremony, Bloch had a discussion with the 5 students who won the scholarships of 2013 about their major, study and future plan. After listening to the introduction from the students, she gave them advice and encouraged them to contact with the society and improve social skills.

Founded in 1998, the US-China Education Trust, aims to help promote Sino-US exchanges and mutual understanding. The US-China Education Trust will open the China Opportunity Scholarship (COS) program to the students of SDU.