Cardiff-China joint college launched

The University recently welcomed delegates from China's Beijing Normal University (BNU) to mark the start of a new collaborative relationship.

The two-day visit was the first step towards an exciting new partnership between Cardiff and Beijing Normal University, formalised by the signing of an agreement by Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan and BNU President, Professor Dong Qi, to develop the Beijing Normal-Cardiff Chinese College.

This new Joint College, which has received support from the Welsh Government's Department of European and External Affairs, will be home to a flagship dual degree programme in Chinese Studies, allowing students to study two years in Cardiff and two in Beijing.

As well as the President of Beijing Normal University, Professor Dong Qi, the delegation from China consisted of Professor Guo Changbao, Dean of the School of Chinese Language and Literature, Professor Zhu Ruiping, Dean of the College of Chinese Language and Culture, Prof Zheng Guomin, Director of the Office of Teaching Affairs and Professor Wang Xiumei, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation.

The delegates were hosted by key representatives from the School of Modern Languages, including Head of School Professor Claire Gorrara, Dr Nick Parsons, and Dr Catherine Chabert. The delegates also met with Professor George Boyne, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Commenting on the significance of this new collaboration, Professor Boyne said: "The Chinese government has previously supported the establishment of such joint Colleges only in China; a joint College elsewhere will be a 'world first' for Cardiff.

"I would like to thank colleagues from the School of Modern Languages and the International Office who have worked hard to develop this key relationship."

Head of the School of Modern Languages, Professor Claire Gorrara, said: "We welcome the exciting development of this new partnership as part of the increasingly global profile and aspirations of the School. The new degree will enable Cardiff University students to benefit from an excellent learning experience that will undoubtedly make its graduates highly attractive to international employers and organisations."

A delegation from Cardiff University will visit Beijing in early 2015 to work with colleagues at BNU in the development of this unique new degree programme.