British universities seek partnerships with China

As the UK struggles with Brexit, some British universities are now looking beyond the EU and seeking closer ties with the rest of the world, including China.

Anthony Forster, vice chancellor of the UK’s University of Essex, said at a recent press conference in Shanghai that Brexit was an opportunity to become more international and the school is prioritizing Chinese partnerships in particular.

“Irrespective of whether we will stay or leave the EU, the UK is already becoming more outward-looking and globally oriented in trade, and in political and cultural engagement, including and especially in higher education,” he said.

He added: “At Essex, we refuse to see our future in a binary way. Our focus on developing global partnerships, particularly in China, does not have to come at the expense of our existing links and engagement with our European university partners.”

He pledged a broad-based level of engagement with Chinese institutions in three areas: research, joint degree programs and capacity building.

Forster also said he was delighted by the UK government's decision to offer two-year post-study work visas for international graduates after completing their studies in British universities. Essex recently opened a new innovation center on its Colchester Campus which supports 50 student start-ups each year, and it is also expected to offer vital work experience to students.

Max Lu, president and vice chancellor of University of Surrey, also the UK’s first and only Chinese-born president and vice chancellor, said that the new visa rules make now the best time ever for Chinese students to study in the UK.

Lu, who was in Shanghai recently for the university’s second Chinese graduation celebration, said that the university was also forging close links with partners in a number of different fields in China.

He said: “This is a fantastic time for Chinese students to consider the University of Surrey as their educational home. We are pushing the boundaries of innovation in a number of different fields, such as space, engineering, 5G and health innovation, and we want to encourage questioning minds to join us on our journey.”