Joint UK-China university program to boost diplomacy

The vice-president of Beijing Foreign Studies University says Chinese students on a new collaboration program with Keele University in the United Kingdom can help strengthen international relations and diplomacy between the nations.

From September, a total of 79 students from the Beijing Foreign Studies University, or BFSU, will be living and studying at Keele University as part of the joint International Governance and Public Policy undergraduate degree program.

Keele said the course is the first of its kind on international diplomacy and is designed and delivered collaboratively between the two universities. The course will explore international relations and diplomacy, international business and international law.

Earlier this month, BFSU Vice-President Yan Guohua led a Chinese delegation to meet Keele's Vice-Chancellor Trevor McMillan and Pro Vice-Chancellor Shane O'Neill. The two sides explored opportunities for developing the collaboration and discussed plans ahead of the student's arrival in the UK.

Yan explained that both universities were eager to develop this kind of cooperation, adding that the British university has strong experience in international relations, an area which BFSU is also keen on.

"During this visit we had a wonderful talk with the vice-chancellor about how to strengthen our positive relationship through broadening and strengthening our collaborative programs," Yan said. "We are already thinking of strengthening our future collaborations, not only in the area of undergraduate education, but postgraduate and staff exchange programs as well - this is really exciting."

The course between Keele and BSFU is the first collaborative program approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education, according to Yan, which has ambitions to develop talented graduates who will be able to represent the country effectively in the area of diplomacy, foreign affairs, economic and culture exchanges, and international communication.

"What we want to do is provide as many opportunities as possible for our students so they have the opportunity to improve upon themselves during their four-year program including having access to foreign education and experience. This experience in itself is a very good education for our students," the BFSU vicepresident added.

Keele's Pro Vice-Chancellor O'Neill said: "We are all very confident that the first cohort of 79 students who are due to arrive here at Keele this coming September will have an intellectually challenging and culturally enriching year as they integrate with other students on campus.

"This is an important step as we continue to make progress in developing a deep, broad and long-lasting collaboration between our two institutions."