Schools forge international master's degree program

Undergraduates of a pioneering university in the southern city Shenzhen will soon have the opportunity to earn a master's degree in health informatics from a leading US medical institute through a five-year combined program.

An agreement on the program was reached in Shenzhen on Monday between South University of Science and Technology of China and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. It will need final approval by the boards of directors at both universities.

SUSTC was established in 2012 and aims to be an international research university. According to the agreement, its undergraduates can apply for the program when they complete all courses required its Shenzhen campus and meet the English standards set by UTHealth.

Students can then take a bachelor's degree at SUSTC and a master's degree at UTHealth.

Li Ming, acting president of SUSTC, said the new program will enhance the university's research strength in life and health sciences and promote its international image.

Giuseppe Colasurdo, president of UTHealth, said the center values talent and has been among the top 5 percent medical research institutes in the United States since its founding in 1972.

SUSTC also demonstrates a commitment to talent, which lays a foundation for a smooth collaboration between two universities, said Colasurdo.

The two schools signed the agreement shortly after the founding ceremony for the Shenzhen International Friendship City University League.

The league first proposed by SUSTC includes seven other Chinese universities. Its aim is to strengthen academic ties with the 63 cities in foreign countries with which Shenzhen has forged international friendship or friendship exchanges since 1986.

Houston was Shenzhen's first international friendship city. Others include Brisbane in Australia, Nuremberg, Germany, Haifa in Israel and Lome, Togo.

To date the league has attracted participation by 17 foreign universities in 12 countries.

Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin said the league is expected to further improve the international performance of higher education in Shenzhen.

He said the league welcomes participation by more universities from international friendship cities.

Jim Huang contributed to this story.

chenhong@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/20/2014 page12)