School of Business Dean Doug Guthrie has been named the George Washington University’s vice president for China operations, President Steven Knapp and Provost Steven Lerman announced Friday. This position is in addition to Dr. Guthrie’s roles as dean and professor of international business and management.
“Dean Guthrie is uniquely qualified to lead the development of GW's presence in China and to ensure that our activities there are fully consistent with our educational mission, our academic values and our strategic priorities,” Dr. Knapp said. "He has been very effective in extending the global reach of his school, and I am grateful for his willingness to take on this new role on behalf of the university as a whole."
Dr. Guthrie—who is fluent in Mandarin, an expert in the field of economic reform in China and conducted his doctoral research in Shanghai—will coordinate all significant-scale activities, initiatives and programs in China and make recommendations to Dr. Lerman and Dr. Knapp.
“President Knapp and I are looking forward to many years of Dean Guthrie’s continued, extraordinary leadership of both the School of Business and, in this additional role, in formulating and executing our university’s strategy in China,” Dr. Lerman said.
China, which plays an increasingly important role in the global economy and world politics, is one of the geographic areas the university has identified in its strategic plan as a research and teaching priority. “I am thrilled to add this new responsibility to my portfolio of work here at GW,” Dr. Guthrie said. “How we build out our operations in China will be a crucial part of the university’s strategy for years to come. I am very excited about serving the university in this crucial area.”
The university has already made strides in developing its China initiatives. Last year, the university signed an agreement with Suzhou Industrial Park in Jiangsu, China, to offer advanced degrees to Chinese students. And the School of Business offers both a Master of Science in Finance and an International Master of Accountancy Program jointly with Renmin University of China International College. Meanwhile, the three-week GW China Career Immersion Program, held twice a year during Chinese students’ summer and winter breaks, allows students to visit the nation’s capital and attend seminars on career preparation and political, economic and business issues while improving cross-cultural awareness.
Additionally, the university this month announced it will serve as the education partner for the 2013 Fortune Global Forum, sending a delegation to a three-day gathering in Chengdu, China, which brings together CEOs and leaders from across the world. And just last week, the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences announced the launch of its Confucius Institute in collaboration with Nanjing University.