Capital Normal University (CNU) of Beijing is looking for UK partner(s) to develop and deliver a four week training programme in the UK for around 30 doctoral students. The programme is expected to provide training modules focused on professional development and capacity building of early-career researchers and scholars. 

The programme should be four weeks (20 days) in length and based in the UK, preferably from November to December 2017.

Benefits for the UK partners

This is an opportunity for the selected UK partner to establish long-term partnerships with one of the top teaching universities in China, with potential for expansion into other fields, such as student and faculty exchange, articulation programmes or joint research. It is also an opportunity for UK partners to raise their institutions’ profiles and brand awareness in China.

Requirements for the training programme

The UK partner should be experienced in delivering training courses on professional development and capacity building for early-career researchers and scholars, and will be expected to design and deliver a suitable four week (20 day) training programme for 30 doctoral students, including the below content:

• effective spoken communication skills in English, with a focus on international research collaboration, presenting at conferences, conducting focus groups etc.
• effective written communication skills in English, with a focus on compiling research reports, academic papers and further publication opportunities
• effective reading skills in English with a focus on accessing academic papers, presentations and further research materials
• relationship building skills to establish and maintain successful academic collaborations with potential partners
• academic exchange activities/opportunities with UK and other international postgraduate students (if applicable)

Additional requirements

The UK partner will also be expected to provide:

• accommodation (preferably university student accommodation with en-suite single rooms)
• three meals a day (including arrangements for weekend meals)
• extra-curricular activities and cultural visits
• airport pick up/drop off and local daily travel/commuting arrangements  
• a letter of invitation to support the visa application process
• a certificate of completion for each participant at the end of the training.

Responsibilities of Capital Normal University
CNU will be responsible for:

• selection of the 30 participants for the programme  from CNU, with agreed level of language proficiency
• designating at least one lead teacher to coordinate the training process in the UK
• arrangements for participating students’ UK visa applications, international air-tickets and travel insurance
• providing pre-departure briefings, guidance and support for all prospective students as part of the programmes

About Capital Normal University

Capital Normal University (CNU), located in Beijing, was established by the Beijing Municipal Government and the Ministry of Education in 1954. Over the 63 years since its establishment, CNU has proven to be one of the leading universities in China for educating and training teachers.  There are over 30,000 students on campus including about 7,000 postgraduates for PhD and Master degrees and over 20,000 undergraduates and trainee teachers.

British Council Contact

UK providers interested in this opportunity should contact siem.china@britishcouncil.org.cn by 18:00 (BST) 8^th August 2017. Please submit a training proposal and a quotation outlining all costs related to the programme. The training proposal should include a sample schedule for four weeks (20 training days) and CVs of key trainers designated for this training programme. The quotation of the programme should include specific financial and programme arrangements for 30 delegates: training fee, insurance (if applicable), all related expenses for cultural activities and excursions. Please kindly exclude the fees for international air-tickets, visa applications and travel insurance.

Specific requirements as below:

• for accommodation, please include details of the university accommodation (self-catering single en-suite room with bathroom and internet connection)
• for transportation, please include airport transfer services and daily travel costs
• for meal arrangements, please specify daily meal arrangements, including weekends
• for cultural visits, please list proposed locations and include the quotation for possible expenses on travel

Please kindly note that the British Council will charge a 20 per cent management fee based on the TRAINING FEE/TUITION FEE of the final programme. The management fee will cover frequent liaison between the UK provider and Chinese partner for facilitating the preparation of the programme and pre-training arrangements (e.g. pre-departure briefings, visa application and on-site support upon requests) as well as supporting for post-training follow-up and feedback report. Please include the management fee in the quotation separately after all other costs have been accounted for.