On October 21, 2019, the UK-China Joint Institute Alliance Annual General Meeting was successfully held at the Haining International Campus of Zhejiang University.
The UK-China Joint Institute Alliance is an organization jointly sponsored by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and the British Council (BC). It was jointly established by 21 Chinese-UK cooperative institutes which also serve as members of the organization. The Alliance is committed to promoting substantive cooperation between Chinese and British institutions and colleges, and providing a platform to boost the development and management of high-quality joint transnational education (TNE) institutes between the UK and China.
At 9:00 a.m., more than 70 delegates from 21 Chinese-British cooperative institutes, representatives of Haining government, and organizers gathered at the Qiushi College at the International Campus of Zhejiang University for the grand opening.
Vice President of Zhejiang University, Professor Lianzhen He, Deputy Mayor of Haining government of Zhejiang Province, Qinli Shen, and the Director of Education in China of the British Council, Wu Yuanyuan, all delivered opening speeches.
Professor Lianzhen He first extended a sincere welcome to all member organizations visiting the Haining International Campus of Zhejiang University on this special day, the second anniversary of the full opening of the International Campus. She said that the initial intention of establishing the Zhejiang University International Campus was to cultivate students with international vision, providing high-quality teaching models of higher education that combine the best practices of China and the West.Professor Lianzhen He first extended a sincere welcome to all member organizations visiting the Haining International Campus of Zhejiang University on this special day, the second anniversary of the full opening of the International Campus. She said that the initial intention of establishing the Zhejiang University International Campus was to cultivate students with international vision, providing high-quality teaching models of higher education that combine the best practices of China and the West.
In her speech, the Deputy Mayor of Haining government, Shen Qinli, spoke about the background to the development of Haining City and its close connection with Zhejiang University. She said that Haining is now at the forefront of Sino-foreign cooperation, and is developing into a top-rank international city.
The Director of Education in China of the British Council, Wu Yuanyuan, said Chinese and British transnational education has achieved excellent results and is still developing. The Alliance supports UK and Chinese institutions in delivering high-quality TNE programs, producing future leaders, and taking forward bilateral relations.
Special guests then delivered keynote speeches. The Vice Dean of the School of Education of Zhejiang University and Director of APEID contact center of UNESCO, Zhejiang University professor Yue Kan, delivered an excellent keynote speech entitled ‘Opportunities and challenges of Chinese foreign cooperation in running schools in the context of China’s education modernization 2035’.
The Deputy Director of the Academic Exchange and Research Department of CEAIE, Tang Zhenfu, interpreted the Ministry of Education’s on-site evaluation policy and method, annual report, and withdrawal mechanism regarding Chinese-foreign cooperative education in 2019. His incisive and in-depth interpretation was thought-provoking for all participants.
Speaking to the challenges faced, the Director of Global Education Research of the BC, John McNamara, shared his thoughts on how Sino-British cooperation in running schools can promote the development of world-class universities and disciplines and play a positive role. His memorable speech gave the audience a deeper understanding of the positioning and role of the Sino-British cooperative institutes.
A thematic discussion was held on common topics of concern. Executive Dean of Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Prof. Sue Welburn, and Vice President of Northeast University of Finance and Economics, Prof. Yanzhi Zhao, co-chaired the meeting. The participants focused on the quality assurance mechanism of cooperative education and the practice and challenges of daily management, education and teaching, and international scientific research cooperation. They had a multi-faceted discussion, and proactively made suggestions based on the experience of all parties.
The afternoon meeting focused on student experience, Alliance management, and work planning. Four student teams (Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Surrey International Institute, DUFE, Hebei University-University of Central Lancashire School of Media, Communication and Creative Industries, Glasgow College of University of Electronic Science and Technology China) which participated in the UK-China Joint Institute Alliance Student Leadership Programme (Forum) presented their achievements and initiatives to all members of the annual meeting. As those with direct experience of the Sino-British cooperative education model, students’ discussions and initiatives are of great significance, and also show their international approach.
Next, under the chairmanship of Wu Yuanyuan, the delegates reviewed progress and looked forward to the further development of Sino-British cooperation in running schools. They discussed the operation mechanism and management principles of the Alliance in the next two years, and agreed on the next annual general meeting. Finally, four proposals focusing on improving the management, education, and teaching in Sino-British cooperative schools, and providing ideas for the next stage in the development of the Alliance, were discussed.
After a day of intense and substantial discussion, the 2019 UK-China Joint Institute Alliance Annual General Meeting was successfully concluded with great applause. All the Chinese and British cooperative institutes demonstrated their outstanding achievements in running schools. They discussed future directions and cooperative communication mechanisms, and showed their enthusiasm for further endeavor and their dedication to education. We look forward to a bright future of transnational education between China and the UK.
(Source: ZJE Official Website
Article: Zhiguo Ye & Shuang Liang
Photography: Wendi Fu
Executive Editor: Ping Xia & Xiaohan Huang)