RENO, Nev. (AP) - The University of Nevada, Reno has signed a pair of cooperative agreements with two leading Chinese universities in a student exchange program.

The announcement comes on the heels of Gov. Brian Sandoval's recent trade mission to the People's Republic of China.

Manos Maragakis, the dean of UNR's College of Engineering, structured the cooperative curriculum agreements with Beijing Jiaotong University and Tongji University in Shanghai while participating in the visit arranged by the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

The deal continues an exchange program with Beijing Jiaotong University next year.

It also establishes a "2+2" program that allows Chinese students to complete their first two years of college in China and the last two at UNR's engineering college. Graduates receive BS degrees from both institutions.

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