Shanghai looks to increase cooperation

The total number of Sino-foreign cooperative-education bodies and projects in Shanghai will reach 260 by 2015, the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission said.

In its latest development plan for 2011-15, Shanghai will promote its education to develop even more internationally by establishing more projects with overseas education bodies.

In addition to adding 40 Sino-foreign academic credentials education projects by 2015, the city will attract more overseas education institutes to open independent higher-education bodies, according to the plan, released on Aug 24.

In early 2011, the country’s first Sino-US higher education institute — New York University Shanghai — was approved by the Ministry of Education. The university was co-established by New York University in the US and East China Normal University, and it has begun to admit undergraduate students in 2013.

“The development plan, through introducing more world-class education resources, aims to improve the city’s education level,” said Yang Weiren, an official from Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

“We hope that more education institutes like New York University will come to the city and establish branches,” he said.

Besides， the city also plans to establish one or two Sino-foreign high schools, which will integrate both local and international courses, and promote students’ international understanding and perspective.

“While attracting overseas education institutes, we will also pay much attention to the education quality. All the cooperative projects should be evaluated and accredited,” he said.