Two new undergraduate courses have been launched in the latest wave of development between the UK’s Oxford Brookes University and Chengdu University of Technology in Sichuan Province, China.
The courses, the BSc (Hons) Software Development for Business and the BSc (Hons) Computer Science, began teaching in September 2019 and are both dual-award, meaning students will receive a BSc (Hons) from Oxford Brookes and the equivalent degree from CDUT.
“We are one of just a small group of universities that have been given institutional status by the Chinese MoE”
Last year it was announced that over 200 education programs delivered by universities outside of China would not have their licenses renewed. Since then, the Ministry of Education has placed emphasis on degrees that are based on quality and cooperation through China’s Sino-Foreign partnerships.
With a population of approximately 15 million, the growth of the city of Chengdu, in Sichuan Province, has led to increasing demand for dual awards approved under the Sino-Foreign collaboration framework.
The MoE is keen to see degrees developing in areas that are required for the improvement of Chinese society and to enhance the development currently taking place.
Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, Alistair Fitt, said the partnership is of significant importance to Oxford Brookes as it enables the university to deliver awards in China where there is a growing need for a skilled workforce.
“We are one of just a small group of universities that have been given institutional status by the Chinese Ministry of Education, and this speaks volumes about the quality and value of a degree from Oxford Brookes University,” he said.
“I look forward to a long, fruitful relationship, leading to future developments in teaching and research which will be of value to both institutions and to China.”
President of Chengdu University of Technology, Liu Qingyou, added: “Oxford Brookes University is one of the most important collaborative education partners of Chengdu University of Technology.
“[The partnership will greatly promote internationalisation and improve the quality of international strength and talent of Chengdu University of Technology.”
October 2019 has also seen the launch of a new international partnership between Oxford Brookes University and Metropolitan College, Greece which will see six programs delivered, spanning areas such as accounting, health, hospitality and technology.
Speaking about the partnership, British ambassador to Greece, Kate Smith, said this form of collaborative relationship between Greek private sector colleges and British universities is something to be proud of.
“This model has already given 14,000 students the chance to get a British degree qualification while studying at home in Greece and we only expect this number to grow,” Smith added.
