The University signed a faculty- and student-exchange agreement with Hangzhou Normal University during a visit by a delegation from the Chinese institution.

Hangzhou, a sister-city of Boston’s, lies to the west of Shanghai in a thriving region of China.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome this delegation from one of China’s well-known universities,” said Janice Griffith, Suffolk University vice president for Academic Affairs. “We look forward to the many benefits future collaboration will provide. This is a great opportunity for Suffolk University students to attend classes on the Hangzhou campus and for our faculty to teach at such a dynamic institution. Equally, we will be welcoming students and faculty from HNU to our campus here in Boston.”

Hangzhou Normal University Vice President He Jun lead the Chinese delegation, which included four deans and two program directors.

“The Chinese government is now building a completely new campus for HNU in the city of Hangzhou,” said He Jun. “The city is known for its many trees and the historic and beautiful West Lake, often the topic of painting and poetry in China. Suffolk University students and faculty will increase the international flavor at our school, and you will find that our students are friendly and hard-working.”

Joining Griffith during a meeting with the HNU delegation were Krisanne Bursik, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Ronald Suleski, director of the Rosenberg Institute for East Asian Studies, James L. Sintros of the President’s Office, and Professor James Cataldo, who taught a course on international accounting at Lixing University in Shanghai in 2010.