Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University and Shandong Agricultural University signed a Memorandum of Agreement today [Dec. 1] to offer a dual degree program in forestry.
The agreement will allow both institutions to enhance the educational experiences of students.
Participants will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from MSU’s College of Forest Resources and a Bachelor of Agriculture degree from SDAU. Students at the College of Forestry at SDAU who have completed three years of study at their home institution will be eligible to transfer to MSU as part of the dual degree program.
Candidates from SDAU must complete an MSU application, and the official agreement also outlines additional requirements and considerations for visa, English language proficiency, academic and financial considerations, among others.
“This is truly a wonderful partnership and collaboration between our two universities,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum upon welcoming a delegation visiting from Shandong Agricultural University. “To have an opportunity for Chinese students from this very prestigious university to earn dual degrees is outstanding.”
Keenum and Vice President Xinsheng Dong of SDAU both expressed hopes to expand the agreement to include additional academic programs in the future.
George Hopper, MSU dean of the colleges of Forest Resources and Agriculture and Life Sciences, said the two universities already have enjoyed a wonderful collaborative relationship for several years, with MSU forestry alumni working at SDAU and vice versa with SDAU alumni also on faculty at MSU.
MSU Vice President for Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Gregory Bohach said several reciprocal visits have taken place over time leading to the new MOA.
“This follows up on Dr. Keenum’s commitment to international relations, and I’m so happy to see it come to fruition with the signing of this agreement today,” Bohach said.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.