Sino-UK Strategic Collaboration in Higher Education

Memorandum of Understanding 2007-2009

1. The Minster of Education Zhou Ji and representatives from the Ministry of

Education of the Peoples Republic of China met with the Secretary of
State John Denham and representatives from the Department for
Innovation, Universities and Skills (on behalf of the Government and
Devolved Administrations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland) for the third Ministerial level Sino-UK Education Summit
in Beijing on 29 October 2007.
2. The two sides confirmed that the aim of this collaboration is to contribute to
the continuing development of higher education in the UK and China. It is
intended to enable both sides to learn from each others experience and to
strengthen links and strategic collaboration that supports national higher
education developments and enhances excellence in teaching, learning
and research.
Activity under past and current MoUs on higher education collaboration
3. With respect to Sino - UK collaboration in higher education development,
the two sides noted with satisfaction the vigorous programme of joint
activity which has been conducted since the signature of the first MoU in
September 1997 between the Ministry of Education of the Peoples
Republic of China and the Higher Education Funding Council for England
(HEFCE) (on behalf of the UK). Examples include:

The National Policy on Higher Education Management project that has

brought together key higher education experts and researchers from
China and England to study and compare the higher education
management and governance systems in the two countries;

The Leadership Development Network Programme that has provided

opportunities for 35 UK Pro Vice-Chancellors and Vice Principals and
35 Chinese Vice-Presidents to learn about each others practices and
develop their leadership skills;

The Sino-UK e-Learning Programme (eChina-UK) that has allowed a

total of 9 UK and 11 Chinese universities to collaborate on the
development, evaluation and delivery of a wide range of e-based
teacher training modules and the training of e-tutors;

The Science Park Collaboration project that has provided training to

over 50 Chinese science park managers to strengthen relations
between the university science park associations in the two countries.

The Mutual Recognition of Academic Degrees in Higher Education

Agreement, signed in 2003, facilitated student mobility between the two
countries as well as providing opportunities for UK institutions to seek
joint ventures with their Chinese counterparts.

The Scholarships for Excellence programme that has provided full

scholarship opportunities for approximately 100 Chinese PhD and post
doctoral students to study in the UK since its launch in 2005.

4. Activity over the 10 years has included collaboration in areas such as highlevel policy dialogues, workshops, sharing of information and experience,
study visits, collaborative projects and pilot projects and a regular Forum of
UK Vice Chancellors and Chinese Presidents. These activities have
covered a variety of topics such as quality assessment of research and
postgraduate education; HE management, strategic and operational
planning; links with business; management and development; and ecollaboration.
5. Both sides agreed that the rich experience gained from the many
collaborative activities to date has delivered valuable benefits to the
governments and higher education sectors on both sides, and they
expressed their commitment to continuing to develop the collaboration
between the two countries in the future.
Future areas of collaboration
6. Both sides recognized the importance of Sino-UK Strategic Collaboration
in Higher Education taking place within the framework of annual Sino-UK
Education Summits. Both sides will work together to ensure that future
joint activities are consolidated under a strategic Sino-UK Education
Partnership Programme.
National higher education policy
7. Both sides recognised the importance of the current project on National
Policy on Higher Education Management. They reaffirmed their desire to
see regular dialogues and exchanges between senior policy makers in
each country. Both sides agreed to develop a new collaborative project in
policy areas of mutual interest:
employability and entrepreneurship;
the role of universities in regional development;

life-long learning;
the role of intermediary bodies.

Employability and entrepreneurship

8. Both sides recognise the crucial role of education in developing
employable, enterprising citizens who play an active role in society. They
recognize the challenges facing both countries in: developing a skilled
workforce; developing curriculum and teaching styles; entrepreneurial and
creative learners. The UK side, will support up to 5 projects for UK
universities to work in partnership with Chinese universities on
employability and entrepreneurship. Both sides agreed to:
hold a forum in China for practitioners from government and
education institutions to enable the exchange of ideas, experiences
and expertise between the two countries;
explore the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for further
co-operation.
University leadership development
9. Both sides agreed to:
develop bi-lateral links between leadership organisations in the two
countries (in the UK the Leadership Foundation for Higher
Education, the Committee of University Chairmen);
evaluate current programmes and explore joint
leadership
development programmes for senior university leaders and leaders
at other levels within institutions
Mutual recognition of academic degrees in higher education
10. Both sides agreed that the 2003 Memorandum of Understanding had
made a significant contribution in increasing the capacity and opportunity
for students to study and work abroad. Both sides recognized that there
are higher education institutions in each country which do not have
degree-awarding authority themselves, but can deliver degree courses to
students through collaboration with those higher education institutions
which have degree-awarding authority. Discussions on degree quality and
comparability have been already undertaken and both sides will continue
the discussion in this area.

Quality assurance and enhancement of collaborative programmes and

courses
11. Both sides agreed on the importance of quality in higher education. They
recognise the need to deepen the information exchanges on quality
assurance and enhancement of collaborative programmes and courses
between the two countries. Both sides agreed to:
develop bi-lateral links between the national organisations
responsible for quality assurance in the two countries (in the UK the
Quality Assurance Agency), beginning with regular information
exchanges;
explore areas of co-operation in enhancing quality and excellence
in learning and teaching
Sino-UK Scholarships for Excellence
12. Both countries agreed to continue to jointly fund scholarship opportunities
for Chinese students to go to the UK at the current target level of 50 places
per annum. It was also agreed to extend the programme to UK graduates
at an appropriate level during 2008. In recognition of both countries
hosting and commitment to the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012
respectively, the Ministers agreed to extend the scope of the existing
scholarship programme by providing 5 additional scholarships specifically
targeted at sports science researchers.
China-UK Science Networks
13. The China-UK Science Networks programme has been established
between China and UK to facilitate postdoctoral scientists from both
countries to explore scientific research cooperation possibilities, and
encourage them to apply other national or/and multinational research
funds. The programme was launched in June 2007 and both sides will
review the progress at the next summit.
Student mobility
14. Both sides agreed that it is a shared responsibility to instill a strong global
dimension into the learning experience of all our children and young
people. An important element in this process is to encourage more young
people to gain a first hand experience of living and working in another
country and culture and to develop a better understanding of what
globalization means for both countries.
15. It is estimated that 1405 UK students study in China each year compared

to approximately 60,000 Chinese students who are studying in the UK. UK

Ministers are keen to increase the numbers of UK students able to access
this kind of experience. In 2007, the UK launched the first HE Summer
School which provided opportunities for 200 UK undergraduates to
experience a taster of language, business and cultural activities in China.
Initial feedback from participants had been extremely positive and it is
hoped that a second summer school would be arranged for 2008 with the
possibility of a reciprocal summer school in the UK for Chinese students.
Graduate Work Experience
16. It was agreed that for 2007-08 and 2008-09, both countries would jointly
fund paid work placement opportunities for Chinese graduates at the
current target level of 200 places per annum. It was also agreed that both
countries would extend the scheme during 2008 to UK graduates at an
equivalent level.
Chinese studies and Chinese language teaching.
17. Both sides agreed that language teaching collaboration plays a
fundamental and significant role in the overall cooperation including
education of the two countries, as well as the development of a
comprehensive strategic partnership between UK and China. Both sides
agreed:
to continue to actively implement activities specified in the
Memorandum of Understanding following the UKChina Meeting on
Chinese Learning and Teaching signed between Office of Chinese
Language Council International and Department for Education and
Skills on 19 July 2006;
to jointly encourage the takeup of Confucius Institutions at British
Universities.
Establishment of a Sino-UK Steering Committee
18. A steering committee will be established of members from and designated
by both sides. The name list will be exchanged through diplomatic
channels. The primary function of the steering committee is to advise,
facilitate and monitor progress of activity covered in this MoU.
19. Representatives agreed that participation in, and where appropriate
project management of, activities under the collaboration should include
representatives from other relevant national bodies, and HE institutions in
both countries.

20. Both sides undertake to continue these discussions, with the goal of
developing and expanding the scope of the programme during the period
of the agreement. They agreed to work together to develop detailed
proposals and timetables for agreed future plans, in order to ensure
implementation within identified resources. Plans would be monitored and
reviewed on a regular basis.
Signed in duplicate in Beijing on 29 th October, 2007 in English and Chinese
languages, both texts having equal validity.

Zhou Ji
Minister

John Denham
Secretary of State for
Innovation, Universities and Skills

For the Ministry of Education of

The Peoples Republic of China

For the Department for Innovation,

Universities and Skills on behalf
of the Government and Devolved
Administrations of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland

Annexe 1 Detailed activities and outcomes under the current MoU on

higher education collaboration
1. The most recent Memorandum of Understanding on Sino-UK Strategic
Collaboration in Higher Education Development and Reform was signed in
Beijing in July 2004 by Vice Minister Zhang Xinsheng of the Ministry of
Education by Professor Howard Newby of HEFCE.
2. The two sides noted that the following activity has been carried out under
the 2004 MoU:
a. Sino-UK e-Learning Programme (eChina-UK). The aim has
been to share experience in the use of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT) for distance and flexible
learning and to develop and pilot innovative distance education
courseware in selected subject areas. A total of 9 UK and 11
Chinese universities have collaborated on the development,
evaluation and delivery of a wide range of e-based teacher
training modules and the training of e-tutors. A book of
professional papers on e-learning and Sino-UK collaboration in
education has been published. The programme has led to
increased understanding of the constraints and affordances of
online learning, especially for teacher training; deep mutual
understanding and appreciation of each others varying
perspectives; and the potential for significant further innovation
and change. This programme has been delivered by HEFCE,
the Ministry of Education, and selected UK and Chinese
Universities.
b. Leadership Development Network Programme. This exchange
scheme began in 2004 and has run over three annual phases. It
has provided opportunities for 35 UK Pro Vice-Chancellors and
Vice Principals and 35 Chinese Vice-Presidents to learn about
each others practices and develop their leadership skills. This
takes place through structured workshops, exchange visits to
partner HE institutions and self-directed research of a study
topic. It has opened up further opportunities for networking and
collaboration between the two countries. This project has been
delivered by British Council, the Leadership Foundation for
Higher Education and the China Education Association for
International Exchange, and supported by HEFCE in partnership
with UK and Chinese universities.
c. National Policy on Higher Education Management. This project
has brought together key higher education experts and
researchers from China and England to study and compare the
higher education management and governance systems in the
two countries. The three-year project began in 2005 and covers
areas of mutual concern such as employability, the role of

universities in regional development, life-long learning and the

role of intermediary bodies. The lead institutions in the project
are: the National Centre for Education Development and
Research of the Ministry of Education (NCEDR), HEFCE and
British Council.
d. Science Park Collaboration. The aim was to strengthen relations
between the university science park associations in the two
countries. Two training programmes in 2004 provided training to
over 50 Chinese science park managers. A workshop was held
in Beijing in March 2006 at which a Memorandum of
Understanding was signed between the China University
Science Parks Association (CUSPA) and the United Kingdom
Science Park Association (UKSPA). The project was sponsored
by the Ministry of Education and the British Council in
partnership with the UK Science Park Association and the China
Association of University-based Science Parks.
3. Both sides noted that higher education topics and issues have formed an
important component of annual Ministerial-level Education Summits held
between the two countries.
4. A Higher education forum was held at the second Education Summit in
London on 4 April 2006. This was attended by UK Minister for Higher
Education and Lifelong Learning Bill Rammell, Chinese Vice Minister Zhao
Qinping and the Chinese delegation and representatives from UK
organizations and English universities. Areas of focus were the
internationalisation agenda in HE and HE-industry developments in China
and the UK.
5. The two sides noted other higher education activity taking place under the
Education Summit framework:
Mutual recognition of academic degrees in higher education
In February 2003 an agreement was signed in Beijing by
Chinese Minister Chen Zhili and UK Minister Margaret Hodge to
facilitate the mutual recognition of academic degrees awarded in
both countries.
Sino-UK Scholarships for Excellence. In February 2005 an
agreement was signed in Beijing by Chinese Vice Minister
Zhang Xinsheng and UK Minister Kim Howells to establish an
international postgraduate research scholarship scheme, entitled
Sino-UK Scholarships for Excellence.