Photo caption: UC Professor Clemency Montelle pictured with the President of Qufu Normal University.
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) has signed its first officially recognised joint education programme with Qufu Normal University (QFNU), approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education under its prestigious Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education (SFCE) scheme.
This official recognition highlights the strength and depth of the collaboration, which is regarded as a benchmark of excellence in transnational education by the Chinese Ministry of Education.
More than two years in the making, the agreement represents a major milestone in UC’s internationalisation strategy and its first formal education partnership of this kind in China.
“This is an exciting step forward,” says UC Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement Brett Berquist. “UC is committed to transnational education development, and we are delighted to celebrate this milestone with a partner university so steeped in history.”
Qufu Normal University is globally recognised for excellence in mathematics, ranked among the top 150 institutions worldwide in the discipline, according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Rankings). The university is located in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius – a city rich in cultural and philosophical heritage that adds unique depth to the academic environment.
The setting also presents an invaluable opportunity for UC staff and students to engage meaningfully with Chinese culture, fostering mutual understanding and cross-cultural learning.
Launching in September this year, the programme enables students to begin their studies in Qufu before transferring to UC’s Ōtautahi Christchurch campus to complete their degrees.
The collaboration goes beyond traditional exchange models. Academics from both institutions will co-design and co-teach the curriculum, with UC staff also delivering teaching in Qufu, offering academic staff from both universities a shared platform for professional development and international collaboration.
“This programme opens doors to fresh perspectives, international experience, and a richer learning environment that will prepare our students to thrive in a globally connected world,” says Professor Clemency Montelle, Head of UC’s School of Mathematics and Statistics.
Supported by the Australian International Education Management Group (AEMG), the initiative brings benefits that extend beyond the classroom. Qufu students who study at UC gain valuable cross-cultural skills and contribute diverse global viewpoints, enriching not only the University’s vibrant student community but also the broader Ōtautahi Christchurch region.
Highlighting the spirit of the partnership, QFNU’s Director of International Affairs, Director Shen, shared a traditional Chinese expression of enduring friendship and collaboration: “既见君子，云胡不喜？愿盟金石，共济千里,” which translates to: “May our bond be as firm as metal and stone, and may we sail together across a thousand miles.”
The University of Canterbury look forward to welcoming the inaugural QFNU cohort to Christchurch and supporting them to both thrive and succeed on their global academic journey.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality Education.
