Following the red dragon
In the last few months most universities in Wales have signed new agreements with universities in Chongqing, China to co-operate in research, teaching and staff development. This is in context of the burgeoning relationship between Wales and the Chinese province of Chongqing. The growing relationship stems from the 2006 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Wales and Chongqing which identified 6 areas of cooperation: economic and trade development; education and training; environment; culture; governance and agriculture.
Chongqing municipality is one of the most populated in China and home to 16 universities. Since the signing of the MOU a wealth of partnerships have begun: There is an MOU between the Chongqing Science and Technology Association and Techniquest, and work is progressing on an MOU between the Welsh Assembly Government Innovation and Technology Division and the Chongqing Science and Technology Commission, who are considering setting up an office in one of the Techniums in Wales. There have been some cultural exchanges including an appearance by the National Dance Company of Wales at the opening ceremony of the Grand Theatre in Chongqing and the National Museum of Wales and the Chongqing Culture Bureau have negotiated for the Dazu rock carvings to be exhibited in Wales. Partnerships have also been formed in the areas of Agriculture & Forestry Management, Tourism, Environment, Health, Urban Planning, Governance and Youth Work.
There have been numerous trade missions and delegations between Wales and Chongqing and March 2010 will see the fourth Wales Week in Chongqing event, a highly successful event exhibiting the best of Wales business, education, culture and tourism.
Currently discussions are underway towards the signing of an education specific memorandum between the Department of Children, Education, and Lifelong Learning Skills at the Welsh Assembly Government and the Ministry of Education in Chongqing.
12 universities from Chongqing visited Wales in 2009 as part of the Wales-Chongqing Twinning partnership managed by British Council Wales. During the programme the universities visited Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Pontypridd and Swansea. Following the tour of Wales 7 of Wales universities; Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Swansea Metropolitan University, Swansea University, University of Glamorgan and University of Wales Newport met with the Chongqing universities in Cardiff where discussions began on agreements that included joint programme delivery, research collaborations and staff and student exchanges across a varied selection of subjects including Agriculture, Art & Design, Business, City & Regional Planning, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Forensic Science, Film Studies, Law, Music, Nursing, Psychology and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Announcements have already been made on many of these Glyndwr University have put pen to paper on the first of seven planned agreements to share its research with as many different universities within Chongqing.The new memorandum of understanding with Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications (CQUPT) will see both universities collaborate in the fields of art, business and engineering.
Glyndŵr University will start teaching students from CQUPT at its Wrexham campus from September 2010. Staff from CQUPT will also be given English language training and the universities will carry out joint research. The agreement will last for five years initially. The University is hoping to sign similar joint research and teaching agreements with a further six universities in Chongqing over the next few months.
Brian Foxon, Director of International Operations at Glyndŵr University, said: “Now that we’ve signed the agreement we’re really looking forward to sharing our ideas and expertise. The agreement further strengthens our educational links in China and in future through exchange placements will provide our home students with the opportunity to broaden their horizons in an international environment.”
The other institutions which Glyndŵr University plans to sign agreements with include Southwest University, Sichuan International Studies University, Southwest University of Political Sciences & Law, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Technology & Business University and Chongqing University of Science and Technology.
Cardiff University has also recently visited Chongqing to participate in the 80th anniversary celebrations of Chongqing University. The School of Medicine at Cardiff University recently signed a tripartite agreement with Chongqing Medical University and China University of Hong Kong in the area of Public Health. Discussions are underway with a number of other universities including Southwest University and Chongqing Jiatong University. Currently 9 departments at Cardiff University have signed or are near to signing agreements with partner universities in the Chongqing region.