THE University of Edinburgh today signed a research agreement with Peking University, building on the already strong links that exist between the two institutions.
Edinburgh Principal Sir Timothy O’Shea and Vice President Li Yansong of Peking signed the Memorandum of Intent at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The agreement was signed in the presence of State Councillor Mme Liu Yandong, Yuan Guiren, Chinese Minister of Education, Wang Zhigang, Chinese Vice Minister of Science and Technology and David Willets MP, UK Minister for Universities.
The ancient institution has teamed up with a Chinese university
The agreement will establish a National China Research Centre at Edinburgh and a National UK Research Centre at Peking, allowing academic co-operation in a range of subject areas, including economic, political and cultural, as well as offering PhD and Master students the chance to spend time at the partner institution.
Vice-Principal Timothy O’Shea said: “This historic agreement with Peking University marks another significant step for the University of Edinburgh, whose links with some of China’s finest academic institutions continue to grow.”
The University of Edinburgh, which established an office in Beijing in 2005, has relationships with more than 50 universities in China.
It already has long-term partnerships with staff and students at Peking University, including joint research projects on history, medicine, politics and religious studies.
In addition, the Confucius Institute for Scotland was established in 2006 at the University of Edinburgh to act as a bridge between Scotland and China, aiding understanding and facilitating engagement.
