Houston International Institute, Dalian Maritime University (HII-DMU), is officially approved by the Ministry of Education recently. It is a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school of Dalian Maritime University (DMU) and University of Houston (UH), which will embrace the first batch of undergraduate students in 2020. The approval of the institute has filled the gap in the aspect of Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school. It is a milestone breakthrough in the process of further opening the education sector to the world, enhancing international exchanges and cooperation, integrating high-quality education resources, and promoting the internationalization of education.
I. Brief Introduction
Houston International Institute, Dalian Maritime University (license number: MOE21USA02DNR20202063N), approved by the Ministry of Education in April 2020, is a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school of Dalian Maritime University (DMU) in China and the University of Houston (UH) in the United States. It is an important platform for the integration of higher education, international talents training, research cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between two universities. Introducing teaching resources of the top programs in the UH Cullen College of Engineering and combining them with advantages of the marine programs in DMU, this Institute adheres to the idea of establishing an innovation-oriented and characteristic school to create leading areas of the cultivation of talents in need and the output of China's education management, with open education and subject innovation as its drive, the service to the strategy of building China into a maritime world leader as its guide, connotative development and brand building as its aim, and filling the reserve of marine engineering professionals as its mission.
The Institute offers three undergraduate programs, Mechanical Engineering (080202H), Civil Engineering (081001H) and Electrical Engineering (080701H), providing four-year full-time undergraduate education.
II. Objective
Facing the need for marine engineering talents, this Institute aims to train high-quality innovative engineering talents with solid foundations, appropriate proficiency in Chinese and English, patriotism and international visions.
III. Programs
1． Mechanical Engineering (080202H)
Mechanical Engineering is a traditional dominant program and a key support program in DMU’s development in a "Double First-Class" educational institution, which is highly recognized in the transportation and marine engineering equipment industries; UH’s Mechanical Engineering program, based on mechanical science, is one of the top programs of the UH Cullen College of Engineering and has been listed as a top program in the United States, ranking in top 50 across USA. Now the Master of Science in Subsea Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering ranks first in the US, and its core task is to carry out cutting-edge research in the field of mechanical science and train engineers with global competitiveness.
2. Civil Engineering (081001H)
Civil Engineering is a key support program in DMU’s development in a "Double First-Class" educational institution. It boasts primary master programs in Civil Engineering and Transportation Engineering, a doctor program in Highway and Railway Engineering, as well as a provincial key laboratory and a key discipline; UH’s Civil Engineering Program is one of the strong programs in the Cullen College of Engineering, and belongs to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering which is committed to training civil engineers with rich and in-depth expertise. Its faculty roster includes 3 members of the National Academy of Engineering, and department has the NSF-funded National Center for Laser Airborne Mapping, the Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH and other well-known research institutions.
3. Electrical Engineering (080701H)
Electrical Engineering is a key support program in DMU’s development in a "Double First-Class" educational institution, a National Characteristic Program, a Provincial Dominant and Characteristic Program, a Provincial Paradigm Program, a Provincial Key Development Program, a Provincial Comprehensive Reform Demonstration Program, and a Pilot Program of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Education Reform. With primary master and doctor programs in Information and Communication Engineering, it once won the first place in the comprehensive evaluation of Electronic Information Engineering programs in Liaoning Province, and was selected as a provincial-level first-class undergraduate development program in the National "Double Ten Thousand Plan" in 2019; Electrical Engineering is one of the most popular programs in UH. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering which it belongs to provides key technical support for intelligent shipping, marine environmental monitoring and other fields. In recent years, this program has achieved many breakthroughs in the field of subsea environmental monitoring technology.
IV. Cultivation Mode and Degree Awarding
This Institute adopts the cultivation modes of "4+0" and "Double Degrees". Students can also flexibly choose to complete their studies in the way of "2+2" or "3+1”and go to UH for exchange learning for 1-2 years. For the three programs offered by the Institute, separate cultivation plans are implemented. Students can obtain the following certificates after completing all the courses and meeting the graduation requirements of the two universities:
1. China: Undergraduate Certificate from Dalian Maritime University, Bachelor of Engineering Diploma
2. USA: Bachelor of Science Diploma from the University of Houston
The certificates and diplomas issued by these two universities are identical with those issued by them in their respective countries.
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
V. Advantages of Cooperative Education
1. The partner university has strong strength.
The University of Houston is the third largest institution of higher learning in Texas, the United States, and is rated by Carnegie as a top research university. The Cullen College of Engineering was recently ranked at No. 67 on the list of 2020-2021 Best Schools of Engineering by U.S. News & World Report. Several of its engineering programs were honored as 2020-2021 Top Engineering Programs in the United States at the same time. Its Mechanical Engineering Program was once ranked in top 30 in the US. Now the Master of Science in Subsea Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering ranks first in the US. The Cullen College of Engineering boasts one of the most outstanding teaching and research teams in the world, and its faculty roster includes 14 members of the National Academy of Engineering.
2. The programs are distinctive.
The three programs offered by the Institute are highly compatible with the marine engineering equipment manufacturing industry that is a strategic supporting industry of marine resources development and national defense, and is also the primary task and strategic priority of China’s marine resources development. By introducing UH’s top educational and teaching resources and combining them with DMU’s professional advantages, the two schools join forces to jointly cultivate international talents in three professional directions for the development of the marine engineering technology and the equipment industry in China.
3. International teachers join forces.
This Institute has introduced high quality UH teachers at high proportion, and selected DMU professors on a high standard and in strict control. More than one third of the specialized courses in these programs are provided by teachers sent by the UH, including researchers of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) (ASCE members are less than 4% of the total), editor-in-chief of well-known engineering journals, Fulbright scholars, and foreign experts from the national base for the 111 Program. The DMU teachers include both experts and professors with profound theories and outstanding scientific research ability, as well as young backbone with active academic ideas and innovative spirit. The teaching method with DMU and UH collaboration will maximize the strengths of both sides and enable students to maximize their knowledge acquisition and mastery.
4. We train talents up to the international standards.
This Institute integrates educational resources and cultural features from both China and the United States, absorbs UH advanced educational ideas, and cultivates students' ability of independent thinking and innovation and creativity. For specialized courses, we teach students in English only and in small classes, and adopt the discussion-based teaching method. The training plan independently formulated is in line with the international standards. In order to ensure that the students can adapt to the English-only teaching environment, they will receive intensive English learning when they are freshmen, and will also learn the similarities and differences between Chinese and foreign cultures, cross-cultural communication and other courses to develop their international visions and competitiveness.
5. The education quality is guaranteed.
The teaching quality of this Institute is guaranteed by both the quality assurance system of the "Double First-Class" initiative in China and the quality assurance system of ABET International Engineering Certification in America.
Dalian Maritime University (DMU) is a university with first-class disciplines, and its education and teaching are subject to the quality supervision of the Ministry of Education. The Institute will conduct a self-assessment jointly performed by the two universities every year and submit an operation report to the Ministry of Education. It will be evaluated by the Ministry of Education every four years for quality control. All the programs of the UH Cullen College of Engineering have passed the internationally authoritative ABET certification. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is a famous discipline certification organization in the US and is recognized as the most authoritative and universal accreditation system in the world. The professional accreditation from ABET is recognized by the US Department of Education, registration bodies for professional engineers in various states, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
VI. Graduate Prospects
80% of the undergraduate programs in service in DMU directly serve the shipping industry including maritime shipping, logistics & ports, rescue and salvage, deep-sea exploration and other fields, supporting the national team in the shipping industry. The marine engineering equipment manufacturing industry is a strategic supporting industry of marine resources development and national defense, and is also the primary task and strategic priority of China’s marine resources development. China has a high demand and is severely short of relevant talents. According to the talent demand of "new engineering", these three programs of the Houston International Institute, Dalian Maritime University combine artificial intelligence (AI), Internet and big data with traditional engineering disciplines, which is highly compatible with the marine engineering equipment manufacturing industry, leading to optimistic graduate prospects and positive employment situation.
The UH Cullen College of Engineering has close research partnership with energy and engineering industrial parks, medical centers and oil companies such as Shell Oil Company, and a significant number of its graduates hold key positions at Fortune 500 companies in Houston and even the whole world. In addition, the Cullen College of Engineering is equipped with an Engineering Career Center, providing students with a series of services including vocational counselling, interview preparation, career guidance and internships opportunities.
Meanwhile, the completion of two degrees will lay a more solid foundation for our students to apply for graduate studies at home and abroad.
VII. Application Requirements
The programs of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering have been integrated into DMU recruitment plan, and enroll students with separate codes from general programs. Only the candidates with such program intentions can be enrolled.
The core courses are taught in English only, which requires candidates to have basic proficiency in English. Candidates in non-English languages shall be prudent. After enrollment, they will receive intensive English learning in the first year, and must adapt to the English-only teaching environment when they are sophomores.
Tuition: CNY 60,000 per student per school year
Accommodation fee: CNY 1,200 per student per school year
Each program recruits 60 students by 2020, 180 in total. Specific recruitment numbers of different provinces and programs could refer to the website of Dalian Maritime University Undergraduate Admission(http://bkzs.dlmu.edu.cn/).
VIII Cooperation Milestones
In 2016, Dalian Maritime University and University of Houston embarked on educational and scientific researches cooperation.
In June 2017, both universities cooperatively established International Collaboration Research Center of Subsea Engineering Technology and Equipment and it was nationally awarded as International Technological Collaboration Base.
In November 2017, Dalian Maritime University set up College of International Collaboration to push ahead with establishing Chinese-foreign cooperatively run institute with University of Houston.
In January 2018, both sides formally signed the articulation agreement. Dalian Maritime University and University of Houston carried out joint education for students of all science and engineering programs, covering all levels of undergraduate, master, and doctoral programs.
l In March 2019, Dalian Maritime University set up a foreign office based in University of Houston and dispatched employee there.
l On September 16, 2019, Renu Khator, President of University of Houston, visited Dalian Maritime University and signed the Cooperation Agreement to establish the “UH Institute, Dalian Maritime University”.
l In April 2020, Houston International Institute, Dalian Maritime University was officially approved to establish.
IX FAQs
1. What is the difference between Houston International Institute and other colleges in Dalian Maritime University?
Like other colleges, Houston International Institute is a second-level college under DMU. The recruitment has been integrated into universities recruitment plan and students’ testing scores need to reach the according province’s entry score. The diploma and degree’s certificates conferred are identical with students of other colleges in DMU. But unlike other colleges, as a Chinese-foreign cooperatively run institute, Houston International Institute adopts the cultivation plan by international standard. There is no need for students of the institute to go abroad to finish their study. Also, they are eligible to get awarded a bachelor’s degree of relevant programs from University of Houston if requirements on graduation are fully met. The degree is no difference to the one UH students can get.
2. In terms of three programs (Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering) in Houston International Institute, are there any differences towards the counterparts in DMU?
For programs in Houston International Institute, they’ve extensively absorbed American practices regarding cultivation plans, curriculum settings, educational concepts, teaching methods and teaching staff. In terms of the introduction of courses, the introduction ratio of professional core courses reaches 100%.
3. Compared to go abroad after high school’s graduation, why students choose Houston International Institute for further study?
From the perspective of learning process, undergraduate study is a significant period for career development and a key stage for world outlook, view of life and values to formulate, develop and mature. And an accurate guidance is of vital importance. Going abroad after graduation from high school is a "single-handed" challenge for most children. They are required to accept and overcome the impact of language barriers, cultural discrepancies, educational system divergences, and various lifestyles.
From the perspective of learning results, Houston International College is closely integrated with foreign educational resources. It is the best choice for students who plan to go abroad for further studies in the future. It is beneficial to a smooth transition in life and learning and is helpful to apply for world-class universities.
From the perspective of financial costs, the advantage of “dual degree” of Houston International College could save time and reduce the cost. It is a low-input and high-yield learning opportunity.
4. Does Houston International Institute have requirements for college entrance examination English scores during recruitment?
The institute has no entry score set for students' English scores in the college entrance examination. During the course of the freshman year, students mainly take basic courses, equipped with intensive English courses to improve their English skill, including application ability and learning ability. Intensive training enables students to adapt to English teaching as soon as possible.
5. After admission, what kind of standards of language should students meet? What to do if they are not up to the standard?
Students are required to get intensive English learning in the first year after admission. Before the end of the freshman year, students are obliged to reach the standard by IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79 or Duolingo test 105. Also, they shall be able to adapt to the English teaching environment. For students whose language scores do not meet the requirements, they are requested to redistribute in the junior year. After completing the graduation requirements and degree granting regulations of our school, they can obtain the bachelor’s degree certificate and an undergraduate diploma from Dalian Maritime University.
6. Is it mandatory for students in the Houston International Institute to go abroad?
That is not the case. Go abroad to study is not a prerequisite in terms of granting the degree certificate by both universities. When students finish first 2 or 3 years study, they could voluntarily apply 1 or 2 years of exchanging, or they are able to spend the entire study at Houston International Institute, Dalian Maritime University. Meanwhile, while studying the Houston International Institute, students are eligible for participating overseas exchanging programs and wining scholarships. For instance, summer/winter vacation programs in UK, US, Canada, Japan and Korea etc. Graduates with excellent grades can directly apply to the University of Houston for further study to acquire master's and doctoral degrees.
7. How much is the tuition fee?
In the course of study at Houston International Institute, students shall pay the tuition fee for programs of Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools to Dalian Maritime University.
If students decide to go to University of Houston for exchanging, the payment shall be made to University of Houston based on their standard and fees for programs of Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools are no longer required. For students in redistribution management, they still need to get fees for programs of Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools paid to Dalian Maritime University.
8. Is it possible for students to transfer the program during study in Houston International Institute?
It is not applicable for students of Houston International Institute to transfer to a program out of Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools’ programs. They can transfer the program within Houston International Institute. To find out more information on transfer requirements and process, please check Regulations on the Student Registration Management for Non-navigational Undergraduates of Dalian Maritime University.
9. Can students of Houston International Institute get postgraduate recommendations and receive academic scholarships and honorary titles?
Students enjoy the same rights as other full-time undergraduates in terms of postgraduate recommendation, the evaluation of scholarships, and honorary titles. The relevant standards and regulations are consistently implemented in accordance with the requirements of the DMU.
X. Contact
1. DMU Undergraduate Admission Office：0411-84727233
2. DMU Houston International Institute Office: 0411-84725290
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