Our interest in international connections is much broader than student recruitment. In research, in our international industry links, and in the provision of high quality education within and outside the UK. The University of Chester has a huge amount to offer and gain by engaging with other countries on their priorities as well as our own. As the UK diminishes its links with the European Union post Brexit, its world leading science base will play a critical role in working with international counterparts to address the great global challenges of our age: finite growth in resources against a greater growth in population, addressing environmental issues and ensuring sustainability. As a university, we aspire to meet the future needs of our students for the coming decades. Increasingly the University has looked beyond its National boundaries and has identified the skills that will be needed globally in the future as the curriculum, mode of delivery and the impact of artificial intelligence and big data create an imperative for modernisation. There is an incredible pace of change in China at this time. From various economic models, China will become the world’s largest economy no later than 2030. In the context of the UK, Brexit and uncertainties concerning economic development, we needed to find opportunities where there is a sense of direction and stability. China with such an impressive long-term view was an obvious priority. For the last five years, we have worked with Chinese partners in areas where universities can create significant additional value for the local market, regional economies, nationally and internationally. It is done with a regard and mutual understanding of what people need and those issues that have to be prioritized for the benefit of both parties. |
