Summary

Fuzhou University of International Studies and Trade (FUIST) is looking for a UK partner to collaborate on the development and delivery of 4+0 undergraduate joint programmes with dual degrees, to be approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education. FUIST then aims to develop a joint institute with non-independent legal entity in the following two or three years.

FUIST would like to develop one to three joint programmes in any of the following subjects:

• Big Data related subjects
• Cloud Computing
• Artificial Intelligence
• Blockchain
• Supply Chain Management
• Intelligent Science and Technology
• Internet Finance
• Financial Technology
• Cultural Innovation related subjects
• Arts Management
• New Media

FUIST aims to recruit 50 students per year for each joint programme. The potential UK partner university with any previous China-UK joint programmes or joint institutes should have successfully passed Ministry of Education assessments.

Benefits for the UK partner

• Opportunity to establish long-term partnerships with FUIST, with potential for expansion into other fields, such as joint research, articulation, student exchange, faculty exchange, teacher training etc.
• Opportunity to benefit from local industrial and economic outcomes following the opening of FUIST’s new campus in the Big Data Industrial Park, located in Binhai New City, Fuzhou

Areas of responsibility for the two collaborating parties

The potential UK partner will be expected to work with FUIST to:

• develop the curriculum for the joint programme(s)
• provide staff to introduce advanced teaching concepts, curriculum development, teaching methods and other relevant experience to FUIST
• provide teaching resources for the courses undertaken in FUIST
• undertake one third of the teaching workload in the joint programmes
• provide staff to undertake the teaching and examination work of the UK partner’s course in the joint programme(s)
• provide capacity-building or professional training for FUIST teachers
• award degree qualifications to students

FUIST will be responsible for:

• approval procedures for the establishment of the joint programme(s), as well as obtaining the approval documents for its legal operation
• promoting and recruiting students and student management
• providing teaching materials for FUIST course modules
• providing qualified FUIST teaching staff as well as the required teaching premises and logistical support for the joint programmes
• maintaining daily operation and teaching management, and ensuring the quality of teaching
• assisting the UK partner in handling documents required for UK employees (eg. visas, work permits, accommodation)
• awarding FUIST bachelor's degree qualifications to students

About FUIST

Fuzhou University of International Studies and Trade is a full-time undergraduate university approved by China’s Ministry of Education. The university was ranked 5th in the 2021 ranking of private universities in China.  FUIST has a number of international partnerships and exchanges in place, including with other UK universities (University of Plymouth, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, De Montfort University, and University of Chester).  These international partnerships include joint training of undergraduate and postgraduate students, and student, teacher and research exchanges.  Some of FUIST’s top programmes include Data Science and Big Data Technology, and Big Data Management and Application, as well as Art and Design related courses such as Visual Communication Design and Digital Media Technology.

Timeline

FUIST aims to submit materials to apply for joint programme approval from the Chinese Ministry of Education in September 2021, open for further discussions with potential partners.

How to participate

UK universities interested in this opportunity should contact ies.china@britishcouncil.org.cn by 10 May 2021, providing an introduction to their institution, including any strengths and experience in developing and delivering joint programme in the above mentioned subjects.