IU forms strategic Partnership with China Ministry of Education

Students in China will be able to study for Scottish degrees without leaving home, thanks to a remarkable deal signed today between Interactive University (IU) and FCCSC (the Foundation College of the China Scholarship Council), a department of the Chinese Ministry of Education.

Five Chinese universities are involved, each of which is charged with contextualising the Scottish syllabus and learning experience so that each student is exposed to relevant and appropriate material. The universities will also foster and encourage learning communities – from both an inter and intra-university perspective.

Commenting on the deal which is expected to attract 5000 students over five years, Professor Roy Leitch, Chief Executive of IU said:

"We are delighted to join the Chinese Ministry of Education in the global roll out of quality Scottish education. While we recognise that Scottish qualifications are amongst the best in the world, it is the localised context and content, added by our academic partners around the world, which helps to create employable, articulate, graduates."

All of the Chinese Universities involved will be the subject of rigorous scrutiny from both IU and the partner academic institution in Scotland.

IU, which currently hosts 50,000 students worldwide, will deliver undergraduate programmes from September 2006, from a consortium of Scottish Universities including Heriot-Watt, Robert Gordon, Dundee, Stirling and Napier. The University of Strathclyde is also likely to join this first phase roll out. It is expected over the next five years that more Scottish Universities and Higher Education Institutions will be enrolled in further phases to deliver a wider portfolio of programmes.

FCCSC has agreed to introduce five new Chinese universities to the programme each year for the next three years, and to co-ordinate training, staff development and induction events, as well as hosting the intensive ‘vacation schools’ delivered by staff of the Scottish Universities.

Roy Leitch, Interactive University’s CEO said:

"This is a very significant and groundbreaking development for IU and the Scottish education sector. By working in partnership with our Scottish academic partners and FCCSC we will deliver excellent standards of education to as many students as possible throughout China."
Mr. Wangrong LI, President of FCCSC, added:

"We’re delighted to have agreed this partnership with Interactive University, allowing our students access to the excellent reputation and standards of the Scottish education system. We hope to sign up many more institutions in the coming phases of the project and have every confidence the success of the partnership."

The programmes offered through FCCSC will link directly to the Foundation and Higher National programmes currently being offered by both the FCCSC and the SQA in China, providing students with the flexibility of continuing their study on Scottish University degree programmes, either in China or in Scotland.

ENDS

25th April 2005

Contact:
Beverley Kirk, Great Circle Communications Ltd – t: 0131 2254646, m: 07968 777097, e: bev.kirk@greatcircle.co.uk

Roy Leitch, CEO, Interactive University – t: 0131 3174003

Notes to editors:

About the Interactive University www.interactiveuniversity.net
Interactive University is a market-led organisation and an international education specialist for the development and delivery of accredited distributed learning programmes within the global post compulsory education sector. The university’s primary objective is to become a centre of excellence in e-learning and the leading source of e-learning products, services and technology.