Mason said this was a really valuable extension of the work of the China-US Center, which had been in operation for about eight years. Philip Bedient, professor of environmental engineering at Rice University, said it was a great opportunity for Rice University to interact again with its Chinese partner. "We are very excited about the training programs that will be forthcoming and the interactions that will take place, both with the high school principals as well as other opportunities to interact with China," Bedient said. "Rice has a long-standing relationship over the years with the China Center. We look forward to a long and productive relationship," he said.