Sustainability in U.S.-China Higher Education Collaborations: The Case of GUFE-WMU Joint Institute

Abstract

U.S. and Chinese universities have engaged in four decades of collaboration since the late 1970s, but these partnerships are subject to potentially unstable forces. Only long-term sustainable partnerships have the potential to develop reciprocal relationships that establish “negotiated space” around cultural differences. This paper utilizes a qualitative single case study design to explore the factors contributing to the long-term sustainability of U.S.-China higher education partnerships. The findings indicate that a set of essential enablers must be in place to foster long-term and sustainable global partnerships: Leadership, faculty and staff engagement, and policy support.