The University of Birmingham and Jinan University today marked a successful partnership that sees over 100 students now studying in China and on track to receive degrees from both universities.
University of Birmingham Provost Professor Tim Jones visited the Jinan-Birmingham Joint Institute, speaking to students and staff at the innovative centre that provides degrees across a range of mathematics-based subjects.
Recruitment activity is now getting underway for the second cohort of students to join the Joint Institute in September 2018 – benefiting from its aims to nurture talent and equip students with skills that are highly sought after by new industries.
The partnership offers students the opportunity to earn high quality degrees from both Universities. There will be 210 places available for students in September 2018 and over 900 students will be studying for dual degrees by 2020, reaching a steady-state of 1200 by 2022.
Students apply to do dual degrees with Applied Mathematics and make a choice of one programme from four options:
- Statistics with Economics
- Economics
- Information and Computing Science
- Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Programmes are based on the Jinan University campus and taught by both Jinan University staff and University of Birmingham academics on site.
University of Birmingham Provost Professor Tim Jones commented: “It is wonderful to visit Jinan University and see for myself how these programmes are delivering high-quality mathematics-based education from both our universities to students in China.
“The University of Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. Our research has stretched the boundaries of knowledge and improved people’s lives around the globe.
“We have worked closely with Jinan University on delivering these programmes and I’m delighted that our strong and well-established partnership with one of China’s most respected universities continues to flourish, as we deliver innovative dual degrees across a range of subject areas.”
The programme gives students in China the opportunity to achieve high-quality dual degrees on the Guangzhou campus, whilst experiencing the teaching and study methods used at the University of Birmingham - part of the Russell Group of leading UK universities and a global top 100 university.
Eleven Birmingham alumni and staff have received Nobel Prizes. Professor David Thouless and Professor Michael Kosterlitz, two of the winners of the 2016 Nobel Prize for Physics given for work in Mathematical Physics, were members of the School of Mathematics at Birmingham in the 1970s.
Established in 1906, Jinan University is one of China’s elite group of the “211 Project” Universities. Jinan University carries out the mission of continuing the legacy of past sages whilst establishing the best disciplines to grow as a top university for future generations to benefit from one of the most prestigious universities in China. Mathematicians have been working with their Birmingham counterparts since 2011 on a range of teaching partnerships.
The President of Jinan University, Prof Song Xianzhong said: “We are delighted to collaborate with the University of Birmingham, one of the leading Universities in the UK to deliver this dual degree programme. Our partnership with the University of Birmingham will bring high-standard and internationally recognized education to Chinese students.
“In 2017, the first batch of high-quality students enrolled into our Institute. With complete equipment and facilities in place, students have enjoyed satisfactory courses and lectures provided by the two universities. As an important part of the Jinan University’s strategy for education internationalization, this programme will help to explore a new model for undergraduate programmes.”
Students experience a UK-style education in China. Each of the four-year programmes includes innovative modules designed to develop problem-solving and team-working skills. These skills will build their ability to apply mathematics to real-world problems.
Professor Jon Frampton, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (China) and Director of the China Institute, said: "The ongoing success of this close collaboration between our two universities is testament to the University of Birmingham’s growing reputation in China. By working in partnership to deliver high-quality education with a global impact, we are giving Chinese students skills that are highly sought after by international graduate employers.”
The offer of dual degrees with Jinan University is part of the University of Birmingham’s global teaching offer, with academic partnerships already well established with institutions in China and Singapore. In September, Birmingham also opens its doors to students at its new campus in Dubai.
For more information or interviews, please contact Tony Moran, International Communications Manager, University of Birmingham on +44 (0) 121 414 8254 or +44 (0)782 783 2312.
- The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.
- It is ranked 7th in the UK for Graduate Employability (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2014/15) and was named University of the Year for Graduate Employment 2015/16 by The Times and Sunday Times.
- The history of collaboration between China and the University of Birmingham dates back almost to the foundation of the University in 1901. The University’s China Institute was created in 2012 to reflect Birmingham’s extensive academic activities its colleagues undertake in China.