Hangzhou Dianzi University (HDU) one of the top five universities in Zhejiang province, with the support and partnership of Alibaba Group, is seeking a UK university to establish a Sino-UK joint institute in the field of Electronics to deliver bachelor’s and master’s degree courses. 

The proposed subject areas, which relate to the economic development and industry needs of Zhejiang Province, include, at bachelor’s level: electronic information engineering, electronic science and technology, electronic information science and technology, optical electronic science and technology integrated circuit design and systems, and at master’s level: circuit and systems, microelectronics and solid state electronics, EM-field and microwave technology, physical electronics and for professional (engineering) master’s: electronics and communications and integrated circuit engineering.

The final subjects for both bachelor’s and master’s degree levels are to be selected jointly by HDU and the UK partner university.

Benefits and inputs for the UK partner

The UK partner will have the opportunity to build a long-term partnership with a leading university in East China, with scope for this partnership to expand in the future, to raise their institution’s profile and brand awareness in China and to receive financial reimbursement for their support (to be further negotiated with HDU).

Expected inputs from the UK partner university will include teaching staff, teaching resources, syllabus, and quality assurance. There will be no financial investment required on the UK partner university side.

About the Sino-UK Joint Institute:

1. The Sino-UK Joint Institute, once established, will receive a great deal of support from renowned Chinese companies including Hangzhou-based Alibaba group in the fields of student internships, practical training opportunities and so on.

2. The Sino-UK Joint Institute in Electronics will be located at the Wen Yi Campus of HDU. The Wen Yi campus is approximately 84,000 square meters in size, of which 50,000 square meters will be the floor space for teaching facilities, teacher and student accommodation, sport and recreational facilities etc. Wen Yi Campus is conveniently located in the downtown area of Hangzhou and provides a pleasant work and living environment.

3. The Sino-UK Joint Institute, once approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education, will have autonomy to discuss and decide the detailed nature of the partnership, including: the building infrastructure for teaching facilities, teacher and student accommodation, sport and recreational facilities, the partnership model and curriculum mapping and design, enrollment of students etc..

4. The Sino-UK Joint Institute aims to have 1000 students in full-time study by the end of the 4th year of enrolment. Students will be conferred bachelor or master degrees upon successful completion of their studies.

Brief introduction of HDU:

Founded in 1956 and located in the city of Hangzhou, the host city of the G20 Summit in 2016, HDU has developed tremendously over the last six decades and has become one of the leading universities in China for electronic and information science.  It currently has around 28,000 full-time students and 2,300 staff within 20 faculties.  HDU offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes in engineering, science, economics, management, humanities, law, and art, and doctoral programs in electronic science and technology, control science and engineering, and computer science and technology. 

In recent years HDU has developed a close link with business leaders from domestic industries including Alibaba. Jack Ma, the CEO and founder of Alibaba, is a former teacher at HDU.

How to participate

UK universities interested in this opportunity should contact siem.china@britishcouncil.org.cn by 31 August 2017 (12 noon GMT), providing an introduction of their institution and highlighting any relevant experience and strengths in developing joint programmes in relevant subject areas.

Timeline

31 August 2017

Deadline for expressions of interest

31 September 2017

Selected UK partner to be confirmed

30 December 2017

Completion of negotiations and signing of an agreement between the UK partner and HDU