And though Guizhou is not a province bordering any country, its local universities have actively participated in and benefited from the annual China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week since its launch in 2008, an event attended by faculties from universities in China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Zeng says the university puts so much emphasis on international exchanges that currently its school of international education has more than 380 foreign students, a large part of whom are from ASEAN countries.

The GMU also provides opportunities for Chinese teachers and students to take part in exchange programs and attend international meetings.

Zeng herself was part of a visiting scholar's program at the Western Carolina University in the United States last year.

Zeng and her colleagues also have set up booths at educational expositions in the US, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and some European countries to promote Guizhou's higher education.

"Guizhou Minzu University is unique in its study of the arts, culture and history of ethnic groups like Miao and Dong, and I hope international students can help spread and pass on what they have learned here," says Zeng.

"We need to shoulder the responsibility to protect ethnic cultures as well as promote talented people for ethnic areas."