The current status of Florida International University's (FIU) Marriott Tianjin China Program, the university's largest international student program, is unclear amid concerns over foreign influence and interactions with countries of concern. The program, which operates in partnership with Tianjin University of Commerce, offers dual degrees in Hospitality Management. However, the program's website has been deleted, and FIU has not responded to inquiries about its status. The fate of the students enrolled in the program is also uncertain [e935c648].
The uncertainty surrounding the program is a result of foreign influence laws passed in Florida, which restrict interactions between public universities and governments of countries such as China, Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, Iran, Syria, and Russia. FIU disclosed receiving $2.6 million in gifts from countries of concern, leading to discussions about terminating programs associated with these countries. In addition to the Marriott Tianjin China Program, FIU also has an official relationship with Qingdao University in China, and the status of that program is also uncertain [e935c648].
The foreign interference laws aim to prevent intellectual property theft and infiltration of the university system by potential spies. However, some experts argue that these state-level restrictions are problematic and duplicate the efforts of the federal government [e935c648].
The Marriott Tianjin China Program was established in 2006, with former FIU president Mark Rosenberg working to foster deeper ties between FIU and Chinese schools. The program has been visited by FIU staff, and Rosenberg used to attend graduations at the campus. It was seen as an opportunity for students to gain exposure to China's growing influence in the global job market [e935c648].