The visit from H.E. Jinpeng HUAI, the Chinese Minister of Education, formed part of a wider bilateral tour hosted by The Hon Jan Tinetti, New Zealand Minister of Education.
Speaking at the welcome event on Thursday, Te Herenga Waka Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith expressed his gratitude for the Minister’s visit, which underscores the relationship between the Chinese Ministry of Education and the University, and reinforced the University’s commitment to cultivating new and existing collaborative opportunities in the field of education.
“Here at Te Herenga Waka, we aspire to build bridges of knowledge and understanding. Education has the power to transcend geographical boundaries, foster cross-cultural connections, and contribute to the holistic development of individuals and societies.
“This is seen in the many Chinese students who choose to study at Victoria University of Wellington every year, and in the exchange arrangements we have in place that allow our students to study at one of our Chinese partner universities.”
He says the University is building its number of partnerships with Double First-Class universities in China, the country’s top ranked 147 research universities, with the goal of recruiting PhD students, creating pathways for Master’s students, and opening its new Joint Institution.
Also speaking at Thursday’s event, H.E. Jinpeng Huai expressed his thanks to the University and the New Zealand Government for the warm welcome and hospitality, and reaffirmed his willingness to deepen the existing partnership with Te Herenga Waka.
“You have established partnerships with more than ten universities around China, and I congratulate you on this success. These programmes have facilitated between our two countries an understanding of each other’s cultures and enhanced our ties of friendship.
“This is a place for wisdom and research, freedom and friendship. This is our commitment to you, to hand-in-hand solve the problems facing us as human beings.”
As part of this shared goal and the delegation’s visit, the University hosted the Secretary General Chinese Scholarship Council Mr. Jianxue Sheng on campus. An amendment to an existing memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) doubling the number of sponsored PhD students from China was signed by the Vice Chancellor and the Secretary General at Parliament. The signing was witnessed by Minister Tinetti and Minister Huai.
The China Scholarship Council, based in Beijing, is the Chinese Ministry of Education's non-profit organisation that provides for Chinese citizens and residents to study abroad, and for foreign students and scholars to study in China.
Previously, Victoria University of Wellington welcomed 10 PhD students each year through the programme—this will now increase to 20. These students often come from China’s Double First-Class Universities, and subsequently are sought after for their very high academic and research abilities.
Speaking at the MOU signing proceedings at Parliament on Wednesday evening, Deputy Vice Chancellor—Engagement Professor Rawinia Higgins says increasing the quota and welcoming such talented scholars is a remarkable achievement and significant gain for the University.
“This demonstrates the effectiveness of the ongoing discussions and partnerships between our International Office, the CSC, and the Chinese Embassy—made more significant being outside of the normal cycle of MOU renewal.”
Also as part of the visit, the delegation received a tour of the University’s Kelburn campus on Thursday—including a meeting with Spike the tuatara—and a demonstration of the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences’ ultrafast laser lab in action, opened and operated in collaboration with institutions in China.