A delegation from Huaqiao University visited Maynooth University on 30 October. The delegation consisted of Professor Jia Yimin, President, Professor Zeng Lu, Vice President, Hong Xuehui, Deputy Director of the Admissions Office and Dong Chengxiong, Section Chief of the President's Office.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Presidents. This was followed by discussions about possible plans for collaboration including student and faculty exchange and joint degree programmes with the Deputy President and a few relevant academic staff. Cooperation between departments/schools of Business, Economics and Finance as well as Chinese Studies are planned initially. Huaqiao University is a leader in Chinese language studies for foreign nationals in China. This combined with their delivery of numerous courses in several departments in English, allows for the possibility of a wide range of Maynooth students to study abroad to China in the future. Affiliated programmes will allow students to study part of their degrees at MU with the possibility of a joint degree and progression to Masters programmes.
Future trips for Maynooth staff, including the President, to visit the Huaqiao University campuses in Fujian Province was discussed and will likely take place early next year.