On Thursday, Jan. 12, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) conducted a greeting ceremony to welcome exchange students from Taiwan's Central Police University (CPU). The group of students are partaking in a two-week program studying American policing, English immersion and culture; and are pursuing Taiwanese degrees in criminal justice and fire management with plans to work in law enforcement, the firefighting industry and other related professions.

This is the 12th group of students from CPU to study at UHD. Since spring 2007, more than 250 Taiwanese students have traveled to UHD to study English and to learn the criminal justice system from a comparative perspective.

Attendees present at the ceremony included, UHD Interim President Michael A. Olivas, College of Criminal Justice Chair Barbara Belbot, and College of Public Service Interim Dean Leigh Van Horn, English Language Institute Director Gail Kellersberger, and Criminal Justice Professor Hsiao-Ming Wang. All extended a warm welcome to students and spoke words of encouragement.

The students are studying through Friday, Jan. 27. Their recent visit to the Houston Police Department can be viewed at the Houston Chronicle.