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It was a hectic and non-stop fortnight for the small team from the University Board and the Board of Trustees who have just returned from a visit to China at the invitation of China Education Group. CEG is �����Ƶ’s strategic partner and the leading provider of private higher education in the People’s Republic of China.

The trip, which was funded by CEG, began in Nanchang with a visit to the CEG headquarters where the team from �����Ƶ American University London met with the CEG Co-Chairman, CEO, CFO and senior leaders for discussions related to our strategic partnership.  These included an exchange of ideas to strengthen the partnership, including summer school, training programmes, student recruitment, academic development and 3+M (three year degree and one year Masters) programmes.

From there, the team has travelled to a number of leading universities in the CEG portfolio around China, including:

• Jiangxi University of Technology (JXUT), Nanchang
• Yantai Institute of Science and Technology (YIST), Yantai
• Chongqing Institute of Foreign Studies (CIFS)
• Guangdong Baiyun University
• Guangzhou College of Applied Science and Technology (GCAST)

Some of the highlights have included a presentation of QAA certification to the Chongqing Institute of Foreign Studies (CIFS) by President Phil Deans. The RAUL team also participated in an English language workshop with students from the Institute on the topic of ‘Cooking in Britain Today’. By ‘seeking truth from facts’ the group concluded that cooking in China is often superior.

At Guangzhou Vocational and Technical University of Science and Technology, which is not part of CEG, the University signed a mutual agreement on a 3+M programme partnership and took part in a Q&A with students.

President Phil Deans made the following statement on his return, “This mission was invaluable in deepening and strengthening our relationship with CEG. The warmth, hospitality and friendship we encountered from our Chinese partners was remarkable and at times overwhelming.  We all learned a great deal about how to do business in China, and have made friendships which will endure for many years to come. We have drawn up a list of projects that the various CEG institutions are keen to pursue, which we expect to include further opportunities for faculty and staff to visit China.  We have returned from China confident in CEG’s long-term commitment to �����Ƶ.”