In a milestone moment for Cal State LA’s growing global reach, the University has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Binzhou Medical University, a respected institution located in Shandong Province, China.
The agreement formalizes a collaborative relationship that has been quietly growing over the past few years. It opens the door to greater faculty and student exchange, joint research, and cross-cultural learning opportunities in fields ranging from public health to life sciences.
For President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, the MOU is more than just a formal agreement, it is a reflection of the University’s values.
“Our partnership with Binzhou Medical University represents a shared belief in the power of education to uplift communities and improve lives,” Eanes said. “At Cal State LA, we prepare our students to lead and serve in a global society and this partnership is one more way we make that commitment real.”
“Our partnership with Binzhou Medical University represents a shared belief in the power of education to uplift communities and improve lives…”
A Relationship Rooted in Exchange
The new partnership builds on an existing relationship between the two universities. Cal State LA students have previously visited Binzhou, and earlier this year, a delegation of Binzhou students came to Los Angeles to experience firsthand campus life and the local healthcare landscape.
During their visit in April 2025, the Binzhou students stayed in Cal State LA residence halls, attended seminars led by faculty
from the Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services (RXCHHS), and toured White Memorial Hospital, a long-standing Cal State LA community partner. The experience offered students a deeper understanding of healthcare education and practice in the United States and an authentic taste of Golden Eagle hospitality.
“I loved learning about the hospital,” one visiting student said. “But even more than that, I appreciated the kindness and openness of the students and professors we met. It felt like a true exchange.”
Transforming Lives Together
Binzhou Medical University has a strong reputation in medical training and research, and like Cal State LA, it is deeply rooted in public service and community care. The partnership offers exciting new possibilities for collaboration in health equity, medical innovation, and workforce development not just for students, but also for faculty and staff.
“We’re excited to formalize this relationship,” said Ron Vogel, dean of RXCHHS at the time. “The work we do together will prepare students from both institutions to become leaders in health, research, and global collaboration.”
This international alliance arrives at a time when global partnerships are more essential than ever, helping students see beyond borders, build empathy, and gain the skills to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
“At Cal State LA, we believe learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door or at the edge of campus. It continues across cultures, languages, and lived experiences…”
The Global Golden Eagle Experience
For Cal State LA students, international programs like this are an extension of the University’s core mission. Whether learning in local classrooms or across oceans, students are invited to engage deeply, lead boldly, and dream globally.
And for students from Binzhou, the connection with Cal State LA opens new pathways to understanding U.S. healthcare systems, public service approaches, and the vibrant multiculturalism of Los Angeles.
As President Eanes said during a welcoming event in April: “At Cal State LA, we believe learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door or at the edge of campus. It continues across cultures, languages, and lived experiences. That’s what partnerships like this make possible.”
This new chapter with Binzhou Medical University reflects a simple truth: when universities collaborate across continents, students everywhere benefit.
Because whether you are in Los Angeles or Shandong Province, the goal is the same: to transform lives, empower dreams, and build a better future—together
