FAMU President Elmira Mangum to Make Four-city Trip to China as Part of Globalization Efforts

Dr. ELMIRA MANGUM,  Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., will participate in a four-city tour of China in conjunction with the HBCU-China Scholarship Network.

The tour, set for May 30 - June 6, is a part of Mangum’s ongoing efforts to globalize FAMU. Last November, she traveled to Sao Paolo, Brazil as a part of the HBCU-Brazil Alliance, which focuses on expanding access and opportunities for Brazilians to attend college in the United States. FAMU currently serves students from more than 70 nations and has cooperative agreements with universities and organizations in Africa and India.

The HBCU-China Scholarship Network was initiated in 2013 when the presidents of several HBCUs met with the China Education Association for International Exchange and signed an agreement that acknowledged the initiative set forth by the Congressional Black Caucus and China’s Vice Premier Liu Yandong.

This collaboration between the Chinese government and HBCUs provides an opportunity for students at HBCUs to become competent in Chinese history and culture and will enhance their abilities to be successful in the global economy.

Mangum and delegates from seven other HBCUs will visit Beijing, Nanjing, Ningbo, and Shanghai. The visit is designed to enable administrators to solidify and develop relationships through the HBCU-China Scholarship Network.

“This trip shows the global reach of FAMU and HBCUs,” said Mangum. “Moreover, it demonstrates that HBCUs can provide students with the international experience they will need to compete in the 21st-century global economy. The trip to China goes hand-in-hand with my Passport Program, which is intended to ensure that every student who attends FAMU has a passport before they graduate. Acquiring a passport is the first step to obtaining a global education.”

About FAMU
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is one of the largest single-campus historically Black colleges or universities in the nation. The University blends a strong research focus with a commitment to economic empowerment and community service.

The University was founded in 1887 as the State Normal School for Colored Students. Today, FAMU continues its mission to be a best-in-class, land-grant institution with a global reach that focuses on science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics.

FAMU contributes to a strong workforce by providing a high-quality, affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds.

The CollegeNet and PayScale Social Mobility Index (SMI) have recognized FAMU for its commitment to providing pathways for social and economic mobility. SMI ranks FAMU third among all colleges and universities in the nation for fostering social and economic opportunity. FAMU is also one of the top institutions for providing a high-quality education at an affordable price in Florida, according to The College Database (2013).

U.S. News & World Report lists FAMU as the nation’s top public historically Black college or university (HBCU) for 2015. The University was also recognized among the 2014 U.S. News & World Report “Best National Universities.” It is listed among The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” colleges for 2015.

For more information about FAMU, visit http://www.famu.edu.