Monash Memo - articles - 10 October 2001

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Monash College forges ahead in China

The Hangzhou Greentown Yu Hua School has become the second provider of Monash College programs in China in a new deal launched last month.

Deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and Planning) Professor Alan Lindsay and Monash International Access Division director Mr Clive Vernon attended the launch in Hangzhou on 12 September.

Speaking at the opening, Professor Lindsay (pictured) said education was highly valued in both China and Australia and the time was ripe for increased collaboration in education between the two countries.

"Monash has substantial and growing links with Chinese universities in research, development projects and graduate and undergraduate student exchange," Professor Lindsay said.

"Access programs also play an important part in extending Monash's global network and realising its commitment to internationalisation."

Mr Vernon said this second China agreement continued the university's strategy to locate Monash College in significant places around the globe.

"Hangzhou is celebrated nationally in China as a place of historical significance and features heavily as a tourist destination. It is also building a reputation as a university town, with Zhejiang University now the largest in all China," he said.

The Hangzhou School will begin teaching English language programs this month, with the Monash College Certificate program in business and information technology to begin in March 2002.

Monash College also signed a third agreement in China with the Qingdao Creative School in September. Teaching programs are set to commence in March 2002.

The continuing growth of Monash College in China has built on the success of the programs at the Guangzhou Huamei International School, which commenced teaching English language programs in July this year.

According to Mr Vernon, the Monash College certificate program in business and information technology at Guangzhou will start in October with enrolments ahead of target.

The Monash College programs offer Chinese students a guaranteed pathway into a Monash degree in business or information technology after they complete up to two years of preparatory study.

The new agreements in China bring the total number of Monash College programs offered around the world to eight, with plans to develop other partnerships in countries including Thailand, Korea, India and South Africa.