Promoting our Chinese links

A delegation of key educational figures from China have visited the University in a bid to discuss, strengthen and establish new links.

"Our relationship with China is hugely important for us and for our aspirations to be a world-leading University," according to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan, who hosted Counsellor Shen Yang and three other representatives from the Education section at the Chinese Embassy, alongside the University's Pro Vice-Chancellor for International and Engagement, Professor Hywel Thomas.

"It is a relationship that is deeply grounded. Cardiff has been committed to China for many years. It is a relationship that has a real two-way flow with the Chinese universities and businesses that we work with closely, bringing benefits to them and to us.

"Today's visit was an opportunity to discuss plans to strengthen our links with China and consider ways of developing new partnerships with various universities in China. We were particularly interested to explore how we can encourage more students from Cardiff to spend time in China as part of their studies," he added.

During their visit the delegation also visited the University's Confucius Institute.

Cardiff enjoys links with China at a high level. The University's Honorary International Pro Chancellor is Professor Zhong Binglin, who is President of one of China's leading higher education institutions, Beijing Normal University. Professor Zhong's association with Cardiff goes back to 1990, when he came to the University to study engineering.

Cardiff will also be represented at the centenary celebrations for Peking University's Health Science Centre. Cardiff launched a joint oncology Research Institute with Peking in May this year and the visit will allow further discussions on developing the collaboration.