Visit and Lecture by Professor Huang Guiyou, Former President of Western Illinois University, the United States
April 3, 2026 – Professor Huang Guiyou, former President of Western Illinois University, the United States, visited Shandong Jianzhu University and delivered a lecture at the Yingxue International Academic Forum entitled Governance System, Curriculum Design, Educational Innovation and Internationalization in American Universities.
Yu Dehu, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee and President, met with Professor Huang. Wang Qingbiao, Member of the University Party Committee and Vice President, presided over the lecture. The forum was hosted by the Office of International Exchanges and Cooperation and organized by the School of Foreign Languages.
Yu Dehu warmly welcomed Professor Huang and briefly introduced Shandong Jianzhu University’s educational history, disciplinary characteristics, talent development and internationalization. He thanked Professor Huang for his long-term contributions to promoting exchanges and cooperation between Shandong Jianzhu University and American universities. Yu Dehu emphasized that Professor Huang’s rich experience in American higher education administration and profound academic insights offered a valuable opportunity for faculty and students to learn about cutting-edge developments in U.S. higher education and advanced educational philosophies. He expressed hope to build bridges for cooperation with Professor Huang and relevant American universities in academic exchanges, joint talent training and scientific research, to elevate the university’s internationalization.
Professor Huang thanked the university for the warm reception and highly commended Shandong Jianzhu University’s achievements in international education, distinctive development and local service. Drawing on decades of experience as president, vice president, dean and professor at multiple American universities, he shared the current landscape and practical experience of U.S. higher education and voiced readiness to deepen exchanges with Shandong Jianzhu University to advance educational and cultural mutual learning between China and the United States.
In his lecture, Professor Huang elaborated on four core areas: governance systems, curriculum framework, teaching innovation and internationalization in American universities. He systematically analyzed the operational mechanism of the president system under the board of trustees and the features and strengths of the university-school two-tier management. Using cases from multiple universities, he explained curriculum design characterized by the integration of liberal and professional education and a professor-centered approach. He detailed practices and outcomes in teaching methodology innovation, technology-enabled education and interdisciplinary talent development. On higher education internationalization, he analyzed its strategic importance and offered targeted suggestions for Shandong Jianzhu University to advance internationalization and enhance global influence.
In his concluding remarks, Vice President Wang Qingbiao stated that Professor Huang’s lecture provided important references and inspiration for deepening education and teaching reform, optimizing governance and advancing educational innovation and internationalization. He urged participants to learn from advanced international educational concepts and practices, explore innovative pathways for education and teaching based on the university’s reality, and support high-quality development.
This lecture broadened the international vision of participants, deepened understanding of American higher education, and injected new momentum into the university’s comprehensive education reform and accelerated internationalization.
The event was attended by all staff of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation, deans of all schools and directors of international affairs offices.
