Adding to its growing list of ties with China, West Virginia University signed an agreement Aug. 19 with the China University for Mining and Technology-Beijing to work together on issues arising from fossil fuel use, especially coal.

"At West Virginia University, we have embraced the challenge of finding cleaner ways to use coal, and we welcome your expertise, your cooperation and your input as we work together on furthering that potential," said Curt Peterson to the audience of WVU leaders and CUMT professors and representatives at the signing in Morgantown. Peterson is WVU's vice president for research and economic development and president of the WVU Research Corp.

Renshu Yang, who serves as CUMT's equivalent to a university president, told the group through an English translator that making efficient energy furthers human development.   "Resources and energy are the basis for human development, so the key to forward this development is to explore scientifically more resources and energy," Yang said.   The five-year agreement sets the stage for the two institutions to conduct joint research and to share teaching and professional development resources.    Peterson said the two universities intend to work together on such important concerns as carbon sequestration and mining safety.

Ultimately, the agreement enables mining students to increase their cultural education with a global power.  "I would hope that our young people would seize the opportunity to learn the language and also to learn about the culture," said Peterson, who has visited China.

Other agreements place WVU in cooperation with Chinese institutions for research and education in energy, manufacturing efficiency, business, ceramics, language and culture.

CUMT, with more than 100 years' history and campuses in Xuzhou and Beijing, is the oldest center of higher learning that focuses on mining in China. Its Beijing campus has more than 11,000 students and has partnerships with 33 universities and research institutions worldwide.