Tuesday 29 November 2022 2:32pm
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Humanities, Professor Jessica Palmer holds the signed articulation agreement between Otago and the University of Wuhan, China. She is joined by Associate Dean International, Dr Stephen Young (left), and Senior Lecturer, Dr Hunter Hatfield.
Otago has signed an articulation agreement with the University of Wuhan, in Hubei Province China, for English and Linguistics.
The signing ceremony took place during the week Hubei Province celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties between China and New Zealand. The ceremony was held over Zoom, attended by representatives from Otago, Wuhan and the Ambassador for New Zealand to China, Her Excellency Clare Fearnley.
Ambassador Fearnley congratulated both parties on this significant milestone and noted that education sits at the centre of the relationship between the two countries, and links like the one between Otago and Wuhan allow us to strengthen and explore our connections.
Wuhan University Vice President, Professor Tang Qizhu spoke of their pleasure at establishing this solid foundation of future co-operation with Otago. He also gave an overview of Wuhan, with a history that traces back to 1893 it is considered China’s oldest university and offers a range of disciplines to its approximately 59,000 students.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Division of Humanities, Professor Jessica Palmer said that the Universities first signed a Memorandum of Understanding some 20 years ago and that Otago was very happy to build upon those relationships with this articulation agreement.
“It moves the relations from good intentions and good thoughts to one of practical change and opportunity through student mobility. We know that Wuhan University produces and attracts wonderful students. We look forward to welcoming students from Wuhan University to our English and Linguistics Programme at the University of Otago soon,” Professor Palmer says.
International Co-ordinator for English and Linguistics, Dr Hunter Hatfield was a key organiser of this articulation agreement that allows students to study for two and a half years in Wuhan, and then one and a half with Otago, to gain a joint degree.
“As a teacher of linguistics, I teach a paper called ‘A World of Languages’ so, ideally, I would have a room of students speaking different languages. The exchange of language and culture is a great experience for students and helps to make Otago a global centre,” Dr Hatfield says.
As many of the speakers noted, it was also poignant that this is the 125th year since the birth of Rewi Alley, a New Zealander who stayed for over six decades in China, where he was a social reformer and educator.
This articulation agreement was achieved with the support of the team in the International Office, including Market Manager for Greater China and South Korea, Joyce Zhang.
Megan Smith, Manager of International Marketing and Recruitment says the International Office encourages staff from across the University with potential opportunities for international programme development and transnational education, to contact them for advice and practical support to develop these: int.programmesdevelopment@otago.ac.nz