In the afternoon of March 9, 2020 (local time), president professor Cao Yong'an, visited the General University of Indiana in the United States. Shawn Reynolds, associate vice president of Indiana University, warmly received the visit. The two universities further discussed and exchanged educational ideas around "student-centered".

President Cao Yong'an paid tribute to Indiana University for adhering to the educational concept of "student-centered" and its outstanding achievements in running schools. Based on the school's entrepreneurial process, President Cao introduced the "student-centered" position and practical exploration. Adhering to the concept of "suitable for education", the institute proposed the "Si Zhen San Hua" curriculum reform model, and insisted on the curriculum reform as the starting point to promote the overall transformation of education and realize the rapid development of the institute. President Cao introduced the purpose, development process and activities of the Application-oriented Curriculum Construction Alliance, especially under the guidance of the National Center for Schooling Development Programme; the Application-oriented Curriculum Construction Alliance has played an active role in the transformation of local universities and the transformation of talent training mode.

Professor Shawn Reynolds, associate vice president of Indiana University, expressed his appreciation for the purpose and achievements of the Application-oriented Curriculum Construction Alliance, elaborated on the understanding of the "student-centered" education idea, and hoped that both sides would strengthen cooperation, promote exchanges and achieve win-win results in the aspects of scholar visits, academic exchanges and construction platforms.

The two sides exchanged souvenirs. President Cao Yong'an warmly invited Professor Shawn Reynolds to visit Qiqihar Institute of Engineering. Professor Shawn Reynolds accompanied president Cao Yong'an to visit the exhibition area of 9 Nobel Prize winners.