North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) has announced a new partnership with Shanghai Textile Industry Workers’ College (SIFEC), further expanding its global educational reach. The agreement was officially signed on Monday, March 10, during a virtual ceremony attended by key leaders from both institutions.
Participants in the signing and partnership included NCWU President Dr. Evan D. Duff, Provost Dr. Joseph Lane, Associate Provost Dr. Molly Wyatt, Vice President of Enrollment Dr. Oscar Rodrigues, Chief Engagement Officer Cindy Edwards, and NCWU Trustee Jerome Ma. Representing SIFEC were President Xie Decheng, Contract Manager Jennifer Yang, Dean of International Education Sophia Liu, and VIP Investor for International Education Yan Yeti.
The 1+3 programs that we have signed with SIFEC (Shanghai International Fashion Education Center) and are exploring with other partners is a unique program in which students will complete one year of prerequisite and English courses at the Chinese institution before coming to the U.S. for three years to complete a B.S. in select fields (including Management and Marketing) at North Carolina Wesleyan University. These partnerships will allow students from our partner institutions to learn about U.S. business fields here in Rocky Mount while completing their NCWU degree and preparing for more industry-specific studies in China. We look forward to working with these students to provide an excellent international education experience.
The students will not be receiving online instruction. They will actually spend three years in residence on our Rocky Mount campus. However, online meeting technologies does allow students who are entering the program to meet with their future U.S. advisors to plan their educational experience as they complete their first year of prerequisite courses in China.
“We are excited to welcome these students and provide them with a seamless transfer pathway to complete their dual degrees,” said NCWU President Dr. Evan D. Duff. “This partnership reflects our commitment to expanding global education opportunities and fostering international collaboration.”
In a continued effort to strengthen ties with SIFEC, Dr. Duff will be visiting China June 22 – 27, 2025, where he will meet face-to-face with collaborators, explore new opportunities for academic cooperation, and further solidify NCWU’s presence in the international education landscape.
The agreement marks another step in NCWU’s dedication to providing accessible, high-quality education while strengthening its international partnerships.
