On October 31, three scholars from Communication University of China (CUC) arrived at Michigan State University, starting their twelve-month long study at MSU as visiting scholars. This is the first group of visiting scholars from China that VIPP is hosting since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that started more than a year ago.

The three scholars bring unique research interests to MSU. Dr. Che Ma is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Digital Media at CUC. During his visit to MSU, he will carry out his research project that centers on the development and professional education of intelligent advertising based on the interdisciplinary sciences of computational advertising. His research will be supervised by Dr. Hairong Li, Professor of Advertising in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations of the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS). The other two scholars, Ms. Qing Wen and Ms. Xi Zhu, are both current Ph.D. students of the School of Journalism and Communication of CUC. During their time at MSU, they will work on their research projects with the assistance of their mentors, Dr. Perry Parks and Dr. Bruno Takahashi, who are professors from the School of Journalism in CAS. 

Following their arrival at MSU, the three scholars settled in at Michigan State with the help of VIPP. Each of them also had their first meeting with their mentors to plan their programs at MSU. VIPP organized a tour of the main library for them, and they were amazed at the rich resources that they can utilize during their stay.

VIPP hosted a welcome lunch for the three scholars to help them get to know their mentors and departments. VIPP Director Dr. Xinyu Wu formally welcomed the three scholars on behalf of VIPP and CAS. Also joining at the lunch were Dr. Prabu David, Dean of CAS, Dr. Teresa Mastin, Chair of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Dr. Tim Vos, Chair of the School of Journalism, as well as the mentors of two of the scholars, Dr. Hairong Li and Dr. Bruno Takahashi. Dean David and other faculty from CAS had a constructive interaction with the three scholars, and offered to provide any help they can, and expressed hope that there will be more collaboration between MSU and CAS in the future. VIPP is pleased to bridge CUC with CAS, and we wish the scholars all the best for their research!