Zhejiang University (ZJU), one of the oldest universities in China, has tied up with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for increasing research and academic collaboration. A member of the elite C9 league of universities in China, Zhejiang University, which is located in the city of Hangzhou, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AIT on 20 August 2015.
Activities included in the MoU include exchange of faculty, staff and students, visiting scholars, exchange of scientific materials, and joint academic and research programs.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Zhou Guping, Vice President, ZJU, and Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, President, AIT.
Vice President Zhou Guping was accompanied by her colleagues, Dr. Chen Hongyu, Director, General Office of College of Education, and Dr. Kan Yue, Assistant Dean, College of Education. Twenty-two students, including two graduate and 20 undergraduate students also visited AIT to experience the internationality offered by AIT. The students also attended a lecture delivered at the School of Management.
The visitors informed that Qiushi Academy, which was the predecessor of ZJU was founded in 1897, and it was one of the earliest modern academies of higher learning established in China. ZJU started offering teaching programs in 1929, and today it has over 3000 faculty members, and more than 46,000 full-time students.
Signing the MoU, Prof. Worsak remarked “the MOU will allow young star professors from Zhejiang University to experience international teaching and research at AIT.”
AIT and ZJU also discussed the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Open Online Technology. Zhejiang University has been a pioneer in launching a Chinese model of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in China with funding from UNESCO and HP Education Innovation Fund. AIT has been in a discussion with UNESCO to establish a Center of Excellence on Technology Development for Education, which aims to serve as a neutral regional platform for the region under China-ASEAN cooperative framework.
Photo caption: Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai (left) and Prof. Prof. Zhou Guping.