China Craftsman Valley Delegation Visits the U.S., Elevating Sino-U.S. Educational Cooperation to New Heights

To advance high-level international educational exchange and enhance the quality of globalized education, a delegation from China Craftsman Valley conducted an official visit to the United States from December 10 to 18, 2025. The delegation was led by Yao Yichun, President of the China POCY Group and Chair of the Industry-Education Integration Committee under the World Federation of UNESCO Associations, and included Sun Aiping, Executive Vice President of China POCY Group; Xue Huainan, Chairman of Caofeidian College of Technology; Li Junsong, Chairman of Tangshan Maritime Institute; and Wu Haoyang, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office.

During the visit, the delegation engaged with Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), New York University, and the New York College of Health Professions. They also participated in the annual meeting of the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Through multi-dimensional dialogues on educational and cultural exchange, innovative mechanisms for industry-education integration, and models for cultivating internationally competitive talents, the delegation explored advanced experiences in educational innovation across diverse contexts.

Part 01

Engaging with Authoritative Forums to Navigate New Directions in Global Education

A key component of the U.S. visit was the delegation’s active participation in the NECHE annual meeting. As one of the most influential regional higher education accreditation bodies in the United States, NECHE’s gathering brought together experts, scholars, and administrators from across the U.S. and worldwide. At the forum, the delegation engaged in in-depth discussions with international peers on topics such as higher education accreditation standards, quality assurance systems, and future trends in education. These exchanges provided valuable insights for strengthening the international education quality assurance framework of China Craftsman Valley and its affiliated institutions.

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) is one of six regional higher education accreditation organizations in the United States. It is responsible for accrediting institutions of higher education in the New England region, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Authorized by the U.S. Congress and approved by the governors and legislative bodies of the six New England states, NECHE operates as an independent, non-profit organization. Accreditation by NECHE is critical for institutions, as it ensures compliance, academic quality, and eligibility for federal funding and international student recruitment. NECHE accredits many prestigious universities, including Harvard University, MIT, and Yale University.

PART 02

Visiting Top Institutions: Exploring New Models of Excellence in Education

During their campus visits, the delegation engaged in an in-depth academic exchange journey at two of the world’s leading universities: Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The visit to Harvard focused on its rich humanistic heritage, rigorous academic traditions, and leading-edge liberal arts education philosophy. Through discussions with department heads, faculty, and student representatives, delegation members gained direct and profound insights into the educational philosophy of world-class institutions, cutting-edge research trends, and successful practices in interdisciplinary talent cultivation. This provided valuable references for future discipline development, curriculum reform, and research innovation at institutions under China Craftsman Valley.

At MIT, the delegation toured iconic buildings and selected research facilities open to visitors. They examined MIT’s outstanding achievements in applied scientific research, interdisciplinary education, and collaborative industry-academia innovation, gaining a deeper understanding of how MIT integrates advanced technology with teaching and learning to cultivate students’ innovative thinking and practical abilities.

PART 03

Focusing on Practical Cooperation to Promote High-Level International Education

At the New York College of Health Professions, the delegation held productive discussions with college representatives on collaborative education and academic advancement, achieving substantial progress. During the visit, China Craftsman Valley–Caofeidian College of Technology and the New York College of Health Professions reached broad consensus on multiple areas including joint curriculum development, collaborative faculty training, and student exchange programs. An inter-school cooperation agreement was signed, marking the entry of both institutions into a substantive stage of collaboration in health vocational education. This signifies that both sides will leverage resource sharing and complementary strengths to jointly cultivate health professionals with both international perspectives and local service capabilities.

At College of Dentistry of New York University, the leadership shared their practical experiences in curriculum development, pedagogical innovation, industry-education integration, and international exchange. Founded in 1865, NYU College of Dentistry is one of the oldest and largest dental education institutions in the United States and a global leader in dental education and research. Its educational model emphasizes industry-academia integration and the close linkage of clinical practice with academia. Its affiliated dental hospital serves both educational and clinical functions, earning a prestigious reputation in the international field of oral medicine. During the exchange, both sides discussed actionable near-term cooperation items such as faculty development and academic advancement, and agreed to embark on practical cooperation in dental education, jointly cultivating dental professionals with international perspectives, cross-cultural communication skills, and innovative capabilities.

Educational and cultural exchanges are playing a more critical role than ever in stabilizing relations between major nations. In recent years, China POCY Group has consistently regarded “integrating global quality resources to serve local education advancement” as its mission. Through establishing transnational education cooperation platforms, innovating “overseas campus + localized integration” training mechanisms, and other diversified initiatives, it has built an international education cooperation network spanning multiple regions.

Exploring the path of educational innovation through mutual learning and exchange. Looking ahead, China POCY Group will continue to deepen comprehensive cooperation with universities, enterprises, and research institutions worldwide. By enhancing the quality of projects, it aims to advance industry-education integration from “resource linkage” to “ecological synergy,” transforming international cooperation outcomes into tangible “accelerators” for improving talent cultivation quality and “drivers” for fostering industrial innovation. This will inject sustained vitality into stabilizing international education and cultural exchanges and serving the high-quality development of the local economy.