Charles Sturt University (CSU) has strengthened international alliances with a nation that is a global leader in economics, education and innovative applied research.

 

CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, and Professor of Farming Systems, David Kemp, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of China’s top 20 Universities, the China Agricultural University (CAU) in Beijing on Friday 23 May, providing opportunities for joint degrees and a student exchange program.

 

CAU is the leading agricultural University in China with 20,000 students. It has a history dating back to 1905 in fostering excellence in research aimed at delivering practical outcomes to the country with the world’s largest human population.

 

Professor Goulter said “The objectives of CAU and CSU are very similar, training undergraduates to be leading professionals in their fields and conducting research that has local and international impact.” 

 

Professor Kemp said, “CAU is particularly interested in developing degree programs with CSU where students do the first two years in China and then transfer to Australia for another two years of in-depth study. This could then lead on to coursework Masters and Professional Doctorates and to PhD studies.

 

“CSU is in a unique position to help students from CAU. As  the University for Inland Australia and based close to major agricultural areas, CSU can provide appropriate training that is not always possible in metropolitan universities. With a particular focus on inland systems CSU can then help with the development of large parts of China in partnership with CAU. The expertise with irrigation and rice in CSU complements that in China, while current programs in better management of the vast grasslands of northern and western China has created much interest in CAU,” Professor Kemp said.

 

“The MoU signed with CAU is the culmination of CSU’s ongoing work in China. It strengthens commitments to China and we look forward to a strong and enduring partnership,” said Professor Goulter.

 

CSU will also collaborate with another Chinese University that has a major research focus on hydrology and engineering.

 

A MoU, signed by Vice Chancellor Ian Goulter on the Tuesday 20 May at Nanjing in the Jiangsu province, will enable two Hohai University exchange students to study in Australia and earn credits towards a CSU degree.

 

Hohai University is a key state university under the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education of China, specialising in hydrology and engineering subjects. 

 

There are more than 30 000 degree students studying at the University and over 3 000 staff members.

 

Professor Goulter said “CSU is looking for strong partnerships in China. Both nations have many similar problems with finite resources, climate change, rising energy costs and international food security concerns. As China develops, a strong partnership means that more personnel can be involved in projects of concern to both.”