Bond University on the Gold Coast has joined the ranks of world-class educational institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT and Cambridge by signing a landmark agreement with China’s leading business university.
Achieving a high profile in China for its ‘elite courses’, the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing will work co-operatively with Bond University on a ground-breaking international student exchange program.
“Whilst Tsinghua has established strong links with the world’s best educational institutions, this is only their second exchange agreement with an Australian University,” said Bond University Vice-Chancellor, Robert Stable.
“As such, it is a unique opportunity for Bond students to gain first-hand insight into the business culture, lifestyle and marketplace of what is likely to be Australia’s most significant trading partner in the not-too-distant future.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Bond University’s postgraduate students can apply to spend one semester studying at Tsinghua University in Beijing, as part of their Master of Business Administration degree.
At the same time, postgraduate students from Tsinghua University will have the opportunity to experience life in Australia while studying at the prestigious Bond University.
Two postgraduate exchange opportunities will be offered at Bond and Tsinghua each year, while Bond will offer four postgraduate scholarships to Tsinghua students each year.
Through funding provided by an anonymous benefactor, postgraduate exchange students from Bond and Tsinghua will receive the equivalent of $5,000 to help cover the cost of their travel, accommodation, health insurance and tuition fees, while the postgraduate scholarship students from Tsinghua will receive $3,000 towards their fees.
Selection criteria will be based on the applicants’ academic achievements and the first exchange students are expected to be in place later this year.
“As Australian and Chinese corporations continue to expand their commercial relationships, we believe exchange programs such as this will play a vital role in business and cultural understanding between our two countries,” said Professor Stable.
“Like Bond, Tsinghua University’s lecturers, faculty heads and guest speakers include some of China’s leading business and political identities.
“As such, the exchange program gives our students a chance to start building an international network of influential business associates from the outset of their professional careers.
“At the same time, our exchange agreement with Tsinghua will cement Bond University’s and Australia’s commitment to strengthening ties with China’s future business leaders.”
Bond University currently has 42 exchange partnerships with educational institutions in 17 countries worldwide including Duke University in the USA, Germany’s renowned Bonn University and the University of British Columbia in Canada. This is only their second agreement with a Chinese university.
Further information about the exchange program, Bond University and its courses is available from Mr Brett Walker, General Manager International at [email protected]