On 19th May, the 2nd meeting of Deans’ Association of Chinese-foreign Cooperation in Running Schools was successfully held at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. The meeting was attended by senior representatives from a number of non-independent Sino-foreign Joint Venture institutions. The main purpose of the meeting was to have discussions and exchange ideas on quality assurance and further development of Sino-foreign educational cooperation. The meeting was hosted by China Education Association for International Exchange and the Deans’ Association of Chinese-foreign Cooperation in Running Schools. China-EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy at Huazhong University of Science & Technology was the organizer of the meeting. Professor Liu Qin, Vice Dean of the Sino-British College, USST attended the meeting on behalf of the College.
At the meeting, Mr. Wang Yi, Deputy Director of Foreign Education, Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education expressed that Sino-foreign cooperation in running schools should take a leading role in the process of internationalisation for Chinese higher education. He also hoped that the participating Joint Venture institutions act as models for establishing quality assurance systems, ensuring a smooth transfer from imitating the practice at foreign universities to undertaking educational innovation. It was suggested that Joint Venture institutions take strict control of educational quality through self-discipline, third party evaluation and government supervision. Mr. He Pei, Deputy Director of Education Quality Assurance Centre of Foreign Education at China Education Association for International Exchange and senior representatives from other institutions had in-depth discussions on how to build certification and quality assurance system for Joint Venture institutions while undergoing internationalisation.
Under the guidance of Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education, the Deans’ Association of Chinese-foreign Cooperation in Running Schools was established in August 2014 by ten Joint Venture institutions including the Sino-British College, USST. It is a national organization with membership held by Deans and Vice Deans of Sino-foreign Joint Venture institutions, aiming to encourage healthy development of Sin0-foreign cooperation in running schools. One recent meeting was held at the International Cultural Park at USST in November 2014.
The Sino-foreign cooperation in running schools is an important part of the Chinese higher education system, which has been highly recognized by governments, schools and the public. The question of how to ensure the educational quality of the cooperation has also become a key to the success of further development. Professor Liu Qin, Vice Dean of SBC expressed that by working closely with the Joint Venture institutions, the Deans’ Association would continue to contribute to the development of Sino-foreign cooperation in running schools and enhance the internationalisation of Chinese higher education as a whole.
