Tuesday 3 August 2021 9:26am
The University of Otago representatives with the signed Articulation Agreement with Dalian University of Foreign Languages.
The University of Otago and Dalian University of Foreign Languages have once again strengthened the relationship between the two through the signing of an articulation agreement.
“This is made more poignant given the challenges of the past 14 months, and represents how internationalisation can bring institutions together in order to provide life-changing opportunities for our students.”
The official, virtual signing of the Articulation Agreement between Otago’s Division of Humanities and the School of English Studies at Dalian University of Foreign Languages was held in the Clocktower and at Dalian University of Foreign Studies via Zoom on Tuesday, 6 July.
The agreement was signed by President of Dalian University of Foreign Studies Professor Liu Hong and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Pat Cragg.
Dr Hunter Hatfield, Head of Programme, English and Linguistics at Otago, says students from Dalian have been coming to Otago on an individual basis for several years and succeeding, so the University was keen to work out a formal programme with them.
“Dalian University has a range of papers compatible with Otago, including one on New Zealand Studies. They would like to work with us to enhance their capabilities on New Zealand Studies and Digital Humanities, which we particularly like to hear because it means their students will explore broadly across the Humanities. Hopefully, the borders will open soon and Otago will get to meet more of the excellent students from Dalian.”
Dalian University's Jhang Binbin, Lyu Chunmei, Liu Hong, Li Fan and University of Otago Market Manager - Greater China and South Korea Joyce Zhang at the virtual signing.
Through the agreement Dalian and Otago will work together to offer international study options for School of English Studies students of English literature, applied linguistics and theoretical linguistics.
Students will begin their studies at Dalian in the Bachelor of English programme for 18 months and then articulate into Otago’s Bachelor of Arts programme (majoring in English and Linguistics) for two years. The students can then conclude with their Otago BA, or return for a final semester at Dalian and be awarded both the Otago BA and the Dalian BA.
Otago Director, International, Jason Cushen says the agreement marks the next stage in the development of the partnership between Dalian and Otago that stretches back to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and an exchange agreement in 1998.
“This is made more poignant given the challenges of the past 14 months, and represents how internationalisation can bring institutions together in order to provide life-changing opportunities for our students.”