CDU signs agreement with new Chinese partner

A teleconference signing ceremony sealing a partnership between Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Guangzhou University has taken place today, Monday, 18 May.

The collaboration – which has been driven by CDU’s College of Engineering, IT and Environment, the Darwin City Council and the Guangzhou Municipal Government – was ratified by CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks and President of Guangzhou University (GU) Professor Wei Minghai.

CDU’s Dean of the College of Engineering, IT and Environment, Professor David Young, said the partnership would add to the university’s already-strong ties with Chinese higher education institutions.

“We have enjoyed valuable institutional exchanges over many years with Anhui Normal University in Wuhu, Anhui province and Hainan University located in Haikou, the capital of Hainan Island,” Professor Young said.

“CDU also hosts a Confucius Institute, which plays a leading role in bringing Chinese language and culture classes to hundreds of primary and secondary school students in Darwin.

“I am delighted that we have established an equally valuable relationship with our new partners at Guangzhou University.”

Professor Young said the partnership was aligned with CDU’s focus on the development of research-led collaborative partnerships in China and, more specifically, the fast-growing and rapidly developing Guangdong/Greater Bay region – identified by Austrade as a viable area of growth and partnership across the higher education and VET sectors.

“It will develop future collaboration between the two universities in joint research, scholarly and student exchange, and joint programs that will focus on the growth of partnerships in China, one of our key markets,” Professor Young said.

“The initial plan is to form a four-party strategic alliance to receive financial support in joint research and industry collaboration through commercialisation. Collaboration between CDU and GU researchers in food science is already underway.”