William Brown (center), a professor at Xiamen University, is recognized as a role model by the Fujian provincial government in Fuzhou on Sept 24. [Photo by Zhang Bin/VCG]

A United States professor who has been dedicated to improving education in China for more than 30 years was recognized as a role model by the Fujian provincial government in Fuzhou on Sept 24. 

William Brown, 63, is a professor at the School of Management at Xiamen University. He has been a member of the renowned eastern Chinese campus since 1988. 

Brown was among the first foreigners to teach an MBA program at a Chinese university, has driven tens of thousands of kilometers across China with his family, students and teachers, and has written multiple books about his journey in China as well as the vast changes that have taken place in the country. 

In 1992, Brown became the first foreigner to be granted permanent residence by Fujian province. He has also been awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award and is an honorary citizen of Xiamen, where he has been teaching and living for 31 years. 

The professor delivered a copy of his book Off the Wall: How We Fell for China, along with a letter, to President Xi Jinping earlier this year. Xi replied to him ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year and applauded his dedication.