Representatives from the University of Waterloo and Nanjing University in China met in Waterloo today.
WATERLOO, Ont. (Thursday, Apr. 12, 2012) – Representatives from the University of Waterloo and Nanjing University in China met in Waterloo today to review and renew the partnership that resulted in the Sino-Canadian College, a joint initiative of the two universities.
Yinxing Hong, chancellor of Nanjing University, and Feridun Hamdullahpur, president & vice-chancellor of Waterloo today signed the agreement that renews the Sino-Canadian College for another five years. It is a collaboration established in 2006. The partnership includes collaborative research, faculty exchanges, and joint undergraduate degrees in the faculties of arts, environment, mathematics, and science, as well as joint training programs.
“We are honoured to work so closely with Nanjing University on this initiative,” said Hamdullahpur. “Such important collaborations enable us to bring a diversity of research and academic experience to our faculty, international expertise to our campus, and opportunities for students to receive an international education.”
The joint academic studies are based on what is called a two-plus-two model in which Chinese students study in China for two years, and complete their next two years of university education at Waterloo. They earn their bachelor’s degrees from both their university in China and Waterloo. There is also a three-plus-one model whereby Chinese students spend only their fourth year of study at Waterloo. Their Chinese university awards their bachelor’s degrees, but depending on academic performance, they may receive an offer to stay at Waterloo to earn a master’s degree.
“Nanjing University is the university partner for Waterloo’s Confucius Institute, which is based at Renison University College and a program supporting Chinese language and culture,” said Bruce Mitchell, Waterloo’s associate provost, resources. “Today’s signing represents our commitment to its continued success.”
Nanjing University is a centrally funded institution, and considered one of the top five universities in China. Waterloo is the only Canadian university the Nanjing delegation is visiting while in North America.
Image: Nanjing Waterloo Signing.
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Waterloo news release no. 26
