McRobbie makes ties with China

The IU Maurer School of Law recently signed a cooperation agreement with China University of Political Science and Law.

This partnership establishes a new Academy for the Study of Chinese Law and Comparative Judicial Systems.

China University of Political Science and Law Vice President Baosheng Zhand and IU President Michael McRobbie signed the partnership May 22 in Beijing.

The main goal of the cooperation is to create and strengthen connections with countries around the world, said Austen L. Parrish, dean of the Maurer School of Law.

“Regardless of where they practice, today’s lawyers need to understand the impact of globalization on our profession, particularly with respect to China and its growing and dynamic economy,” Parrish said.

“The academy will be a tremendous asset, and we are proud to be partnering with one of the finest law schools in China.”

The cooperation will allow a one-semester exchange program for all interested students attending either university. Maurer students will have the option of studying at either of China University of Political Science and Law’s campuses in Beijing.

Parrish said some Maurer faculty members will begin teaching at China University of Political Science and Law and that some of China University’s professors will teach law students at IU.

“The Maurer Law School has a strong global mission, and with the global legal profession growing it is important to deepen these relations,” Parrish said.

Parrish said unlike most law schools with similar global programming, this cooperation is based on a student’s self-identified interest of wanting to expand his or her knowledge about global relations and law.

Parrish said the largest number of applications for the law school come from China. He said the creation of the cooperation with China University of Political Science and Law fulfills a long-time demand by students and faculty.

“We wanted to create a deep partnership with a well respected law school, and with so many students from China, we knew there would be a great deal of interest in this
specific cooperation,” Parrish said.

China University of Political Science and Law is widely known as the leading law school in China, with more than 200,000 graduates, McRobbie said in a press release.

Currently, McRobbie, IU vice president for international affairs David Zaret, IU first lady Laurie Burns McRobbie and IU Foundation president and CEO Dan Smith are on a 15-day trip to five Asian countries. While there, McRobbie will also dedicate IU’s international gateway office for China in Beijing.

The cooperation with China University of Political Science and Law is one of many between the Maurer School and law schools around the world.

Other partnerships include ties with Jagellonian University and University of Warsaw in Poland, University of Hong Kong in China, University of Auckland in New Zealand and O.P. Jindal Global Law School in New Delhi, India.

Alexis Daily