Trinity Forges Strong Links with China
Posted on: 11 April 2013
Trinity College Dublin has established relationships with China many of which extend back to the early 1900s. Today engagement with China forms a core part of the university’s international strategy and the College is actively developing research collaborations and industry partnerships with Chinese institutions and encourages the mobility of staff and students between the two countries.
In March, Trinity sent a large academic delegation to Fuzhou, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, led by the Vice President for Global Relations, Professor Jane Ohlmeyer. The visit aimed to raise awareness of Trinity as a world leading provider of education, develop and strengthen relationships with other world leading academic institutions, and connect with the many Trinity alumni that currently live and work in China.
A highlight of the visit saw Trinity College Dublin sign a Student Exchange Agreement with Peking University (PKU), which ranks as China’s No 1 University. The signing was witnessed by Ireland’s Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, who was on an official state visit to strengthen Irish-Chinese education and trade ties. The newly-signed Student Exchange Agreement provides for two-way exchange of two full-time students per year across disciplines, adding to the growing pool of opportunities for Trinity students to study for a year in China’s best Universities.
During the trip academics visited almost 20 schools and had high-level meetings with a dozen top tier universities. Trinity researchers delivered a seminar in Hong Kong University (HKU) on HIV and Hepatitis C, concentrating on novel therapeutics designed to restore effective anti-viral responses. While at the university they also managed to connect with current Trinity students who are currently on an exchange at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), There was also extensive engagement with Trinity’s alumni in China. Trinity has approximately 200 Chinese alumni working in sectors including medicine, law, consulting, financial services, and multinational companies.
The trip culminated in the announcement of two Government of Ireland International Scholarships for Chinese postgraduate students. The scholarships are being offered in any of the university’s postgraduate disciplines in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Health Sciences and include a full tuition fee waiver and a stipend of €10,000 to cover living expenses for one year.
Speaking about her experience as a 2012 Government of Ireland scholar studying Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin, Yue Lu said: “Trinity College Dublin provides a great environment in which students can both study and relax. Lecturers here are also always helpful. I would recommend Trinity to others − it’s an amazing place that has a great education and facilities.”