Bryant raises money for earthquake relief in China

The U.S.-China Institute China Earthquake Relief Fund will help to rebuild schools damaged by May’s massive earthquake.

In response to the devastating May 12 earthquake in China, Bryant’s U.S.-China Institute has established the U.S.-China Institute China Earthquake Relief Fund to help raise money to rebuild damaged schools in the Sichaun Province.

“As an educational institution with academic and cultural ties to several Chinese universities and organizations, Bryant feels a special calling to assist in this way,” says President Ronald K. Machtley.

“Though you are half a world away, we think of you as our brothers, our sisters, our neighbors, and our partners in academic and cultural exchange,” says Hong Yang, associate professor of science and technology and director of the U.S.-China Institute.

(Photo on the left) Bryant President Ronald K. Machtley and (photo on the right) Hong Yang, associate professor of science and technology and director of the U.S.-China Institute.

Reports have indicated that more than 7,000 schools in the Sichuan province were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. More than 69,000 people were killed in the earthquake, with 374,000 injured and 17,400 still missing.

President Machtley announced the initial plans for the relief fund during undergraduate Commencement exercises on May 17.

The University invites you to make a gift to aid the schools and students affected by this terrible tragedy. One hundred percent of the contributions will go directly to the Sichuan Province. Gifts designated to this relief effort should be made payable to Bryant University and can be mailed to: Bryant University, 1150 Douglas Pike, Box 40, Smithfield, RI 02917(USCI China Earthquake Relief Fund should be noted in the memo line). You can also donate online by clicking the link Donate Giving. For additional information, e-mail the U.S.-China Institute.

Bryant established the U.S.-China Institute, which forges academic, business, and cultural partnerships between Bryant University and higher learning institutions, business enterprises, and governmental offices in China.

Bryant has a history of establishing strong ties with China. In 2005, the University created the U.S.-China Institute, which forges academic, business, and cultural partnerships between Bryant University and higher learning institutions, business enterprises, and governmental offices in China. Last year, Bryant established the Confucius Institute, one of 20 centers around the country dedicated to the promotion of Chinese language and culture.

Most recently, the University awarded an honorary doctor of business administration to Fan Jianchuan, president of Jianchuan Group, a major real estate development company headquartered in Chengdu, China. Also during Commencement weekend, President Machtley and Mr. Fan signed an agreement to formalize educational and cultural collaboration and exchanges between the two entities.

This summer, a group of 10 Bryant students are taking part in an internship and immersion program. After arriving in China on May 28, they spent the next 11 days visiting Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Wuhan. The students are now in the middle of a six-week academic program at the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan. They will visit Beijing before returning to the states at the beginning of August.

Also this summer, Bryant will host the second STARTALK program, which introduces high school students to Chinese language and culture at Bryant and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture by visiting China.