Harper Adams to co-deliver new courses for Chinese students
HARPER Adams University is collaborating with two leading Chinese universities to deliver a new Masters course in Applied Mechatronic Engineering and a four-year undergraduate programme.
The first, under an agreement with China Agricultural University, is believed to be unique in the country, in that students are planned to begin their course in September, travel to the UK to study during the following calendar year, and complete their degree in the summer after they return to China.
Professor Ke, President of China Agricultural University, welcomed the development of the engineering course as part of his strategy to further develop high quality teaching activities.
The second collaboration is with Huazhong Agricultural University and will create a four-year degree programme that sees students join Harper Adams for the final two years of the course.
Dr Llewellyn travelled to Wuhan with former Harper Adams member of staff and Chairman of PfB Associates, Peter Bloxham, to meet with the University President, Professor Deng. The programme will be launched in China later this year with the first cohort expected at Harper Adams in 2015.
Another highlight was a trip to the Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University at Yangling, near Xi'an, to discuss opportunities for collaboration. Yangling is the birthplace of Chinese agriculture and Dr Llewellyn was able to tour the University's museum of the history of agriculture.
He later met with the University President, Professor Sun, and discussed proposals to explore a summer school programme for students studying engineering and food science, as well as opportunities for Masters courses.
Commenting on the visit, Dr Llewellyn, said: “We were delighted to be able to sign two new collaborative agreements and discuss further ways in which we might work with these leading agricultural universities, which will enable us to learn more about the fast-moving agricultural and food sectors in China.
“We hope that, as a consequence, we will be able to develop our connections in China for the benefit of our students and those in the wider UK agri-food industry who wish to know more about this important nation in the global food system.”
During his visit, Dr Llewellyn met with parents of students that will be joining Harper Adams for the 2013/14 academic year as part of an existing collaboration with Beijing University of Agriculture. More than 130 people attended the event which was followed by a reception for alumni.
“At the alumni event we were extremely pleased to hear of the success of our graduates with careers ranging from leading positions in major food companies to an important procurement role for Mercedes Benz,” added Dr Llewellyn.
On a visit to Beijing University of Agriculture, Dr Llewellyn met with University President, Professor Wang, and senior staff to review existing course provision, discuss future developments and tour its newly opened International College building.
The visit to China concluded with a dinner, hosted by Harper Adams and arranged by PfB Associates, the University’s representatives in China. Members of organisations including the British Council, China Agricultural University, Beijing University of Agriculture, Scottish Development International, the British Chamber of Commerce in China and leading UK agricultural company AB-Sugar, joined Dr Llewellyn to hear more about the University’s work and its activities in China.
ENDS
Janine M Heath
Press Office
Harper Adams University
01952 815428
Harper Adams University is the UK's leading specialist provider of higher education for the rural and land-based industries. Our mission is to deliver higher education and research for the delivery of a sustainable food chain and rural economy. To see how Harper Adams can help you, visit www.harper-adams.ac.uk
Tags: