“Wellington has a strong relationship with Xiamen, but my visit shows just how much more Xiamen is keen to do to further strengthen the relationship,” Professor Guilford says.
“We will see more students from Xiamen coming to study in Wellington and we can expect more research collaborations and other forms of cooperation. This will strengthen Victoria’s standing as a university that is at the forefront of New Zealand’s engagement with China and with Asia.”
Professor Guilford travelled to the south-eastern coastal city of 3.5 million people last week, visiting the Presidents of both Xiamen University and Xiamen University of Technology.
During Professor Guilford’s visit to Xiamen University, one of China’s most prestigious universities, Xiamen University President Zhu Chongshi confirmed a wish to increase cooperation between the two universities, and see this develop into new areas of common interest and expertise.
In particular President Zhu welcomed the success of the Victoria University Confucius Institute, a partnership between Victoria and Xiamen universities, and new areas of joint activity being developed between Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, based at Victoria, and Xiamen’s College of Arts. These discussions will be continued during a reciprocal visit to Wellington later this year by the Xiamen University President.
While at Xiamen University of Technology, Professor Guilford signed an agreement for a joint training programme in electronic and computer systems, as well as an agreement for undergraduates to gain direct entry to Victoria’s Master of Professional Accounting.
Professor Guilford says with approximately 1,000 students from China already coming to Victoria, including many from the Xiamen region, the link between Wellington and Xiamen is benefitting both cities.
“Wellington has had a long relationship with Xiamen since an agreement was signed between the two cities in 1987.
“The commitment of our present and past mayors in developing this relationship is very evident from the respect with which Wellington and its institutions are held in Xiamen. The relationship is going from strength to strength, and next year we will celebrate the sister city link’s thirtieth anniversary—something I’m sure all Wellingtonians can support.”
Professor Guilford, who is also a member of the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency board and the Executive Board of the New Zealand China Council, noted the strong support for growing the relationship with Wellington that was expressed during recent visits to the city and to Victoria University by both the Mayor and the Party Secretary of Xiamen.
Tony Browne, former Ambassador to China and now Chairman of the Victoria University Confucius Institute says: “The partnership between Xiamen University and Victoria in the Confucius Institute is making a major contribution to Chinese learning in New Zealand, and to Wellington’s opportunity to experience the best of Chinese culture. The Victoria University Confucius Institute was singled out last year as one of the top twenty of the 502 Confucius Institutes worldwide.”
In 2014, Victoria University signed a joint training programme agreement with Xiamen University of Technology. Since then, other agreements have also been signed to encourage the transfer of students and staff to and from China.
Xiamen University of Technology, like Victoria, has approximately 20,000 students, while Xiamen University has over 40,000. Like most of the top universities in China, both are benefiting from very significant capital investment.