Loughborough College welcomed a high level delegation from a leading Chinese polytechnic this week – and marked their developing partnership with an education pledge.
Key representatives from Guangdong Polytechnic (DGPT) joined with the College in signing a Memorandum of Understanding on plans to work together through a range of projects to enhance learning for degree-level students. Following the College’s Outstanding rating for apprenticeships from education watchdog Ofsted, the Polytechnic is also keen to explore opportunities in this area.
DGPT is based in globally renowned manufacturing hub Dongguan City, home to top international names including Samsung Electronics, Coca Cola, DuPont and Nestle, and 10,000 students from across China study 35 different vocational courses at the Polytechnic.
Loughborough College Head of Higher Education Chris Cockerton, Head of International Mark Henebury, International Recruitment Officer Wei Liu and governor Stuart Lindeman were joined by DGPT Executive Principal Zhu Yiming, Professor Fan Mingming, Associate Professors Bian Jianyong, Yang Yang and Chen Jiongran and Research Assistant Li Weiwei.
“We were delighted to welcome the delegation and to jointly sign the MOU,” said Mark Henebury.
“DGPT is new - founded a century after Loughborough College, in 2009 - and it’s already an extremely successful education establishment.
“The largest industrial sector in Dongguan is manufacturing of electronics and communications equipment so the polytechnic is extremely keen on the prospect of working with us to help their students towards UK qualifications in Engineering and English language.
“The Chinese qualifications align very well with the degree level study we offer at Loughborough College and will enable the Chinese students to progress onto our courses – upskilling them and improving their opportunities in the workplace in China.
“Mr Zhu told us the Polytechnic is also very interested in our Outstanding-rated apprenticeship provision at the College.
“The vocational colleges in China are required to study ‘British Modern Apprenticeship’ and this is regarded as an excellent model for the cultivation of high technical talents by its Ministry of Education.”
Loughborough College has been invited to visit DGPT in early 2018 to look at developing their partnership through degree study and apprenticeships.