Eastern Michigan University responds to government pressure, closes China teaching programs for engineering with two Chinese institutions, citing national security concerns and a congressional request.

EMU Teaching Partnerships in China to Be Phased Out

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) confirmed it will shut down its engineering teaching partnerships with Guangxi University (GU) and Beibu Gulf University (BGU) in China. The move comes in response to a February 18, 2025, letter from U.S. Representatives John Moolenaar and Tim Walberg, urging the university to end the arrangements over national security concerns.

In a formal letter addressed to the lawmakers, EMU President James Smith detailed the university’s decision to comply. “EMU takes seriously the importance of protecting U.S. national security,” Smith wrote, adding that the school maintains a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense designated by the National Security Agency.

Partnerships Focused Only on Teaching, Not Cybersecurity or Research

President Smith emphasized that the now-ending partnerships were strictly teaching-oriented and involved no research collaboration or technology transfer. “Neither the BGU nor the GU partnership involves any research or technology transfer,” he noted. “These are exclusively teaching programs that do not teach cyber security. The course content for all offered classes is widely available in the public domain.”

The statement is a direct rebuttal to any assumption that sensitive material may have been compromised. EMU also clarified that foreign disclosure compliance standards have been met throughout the programs’ operation.

Guangxi University Program Already Inactive, Beibu Gulf to Wind Down

The partnership with Guangxi University is currently inactive, with no students enrolled, according to EMU. Discussions are underway to formally dissolve the agreement.

The Beibu Gulf University partnership, however, still has students enrolled. EMU is coordinating with BGU to ensure that these students can complete their academic programs without disruption. Smith noted, “We are working with BGU to ensure that the students who are currently enrolled in the program are able to complete their academic studies in an orderly manner.”

EMU’s Legacy and Cybersecurity Credentials

Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is Michigan’s second-oldest public university. With a student body nearing 13,000, EMU offers more than 300 academic programs across a wide range of disciplines. The university has earned repeated recognition for applied learning, student diversity, and its commitment to cybersecurity education.

The institution’s NSA designation as a Center of Academic Excellence reflects its ongoing role in national workforce development for cyber defense and information assurance.

Implications for U.S.-China Educational Ties and Michigan Institutions

The closure of EMU’s partnerships reflects a growing national debate over U.S.-China academic relationships, especially those that intersect with technical education. It also puts other Michigan institutions on notice regarding how partnerships abroad may be viewed through a national security lens.

Reps. Moolenaar and Walberg—both known for their hardline positions on foreign policy and China—have previously raised concerns about U.S. academic institutions potentially being used for knowledge extraction or influence.

While EMU maintains that the terminated partnerships were transparent and limited in scope, the university’s swift compliance underscores the heightened scrutiny facing higher education programs abroad.

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