| Griffith and Peking Universities forge elite alliance - 19/06/2006 - 12:00 |
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In a Queensland first, China''s famous Peking University has opened the doors of its new joint centre on Griffith''s Nathan campus in Brisbane.
The new Peking University-Griffith University Research and Learning Centre (PUGURLC) was unveiled during a special ceremony on Monday June 19.
The ground-breaking alliance between the two universities aims to bring the best minds together under one roof, and begin work on collaborative programs initially focusing on environmental and population health and expanding into bio-security and applied linguistics.
Griffith and Peking Universities also plan to exchange students and researchers at all levels, carry out joint studies and research, and identify best practice in the three areas of collaboration.
Post-graduate degree programs may also be offered.
Peking University is currently ranked the number one university in China, and was positioned at number 15 in the world''s top 200 universities by the UK-based Times Higher Education Supplement (October 2005).
There are 1,020 universities in China and 2,127 institutes of higher education.
Last month, Griffith’s Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor officially launched the Beijing end of the PUGURLC at Peking University’s Lin Hu Xuan building.
President of Peking University, Professor Xu Zhihong, said: "The Institute of Population Research at Peking University and the CEPH at Griffith University are leading academic institutions in this field and are highly reputed in their respective countries.
"This signals a new beginning of the joint efforts between our two universities. I sincerely believe that what we achieve will only enhance our professional capabilities in the fields of environment, population and health.
"The Centre will be a home to scholars and graduates from both sides to conduct research and internship programs.
"I hope that the rich cultural environment of Peking University will help international students to better understand China, and the experience of working together will lay solid ground for making long friendships among faculties and staff between Griffith and Peking Universities.
"I believe that the new Centre will contribute to the academic development of both universities and will strengthen ties between our universities – and our countries."
Griffith''s Pro Vice Chancellor (International) Christopher Madden said: "This joint centre will draw on the complementary strengths of both our universities - and aims to become an international leader in the fields of environment and population health, applied linguistics and bio-security.
"In the area of environmental and population health, we already have the IcDEPH (International Collaborative Centre for Development, Environment and Population Health) in place, and will be offering programs from this year."
Griffith University already has long-established links with Asia-Pacific, thanks to its existing Griffith Asia Institute which bridges the gap between academia and foreign policy in the region. It has 50 specialists on Asia and the South Pacific from a range of disciplinary backgrounds and regularly publishes cutting-edge, policy-relevant research on Australia and its regional neighbours.
Mr Madden added: "Our relationship with Peking University is long-established, and I am confident the joint centre signifies a new milestone in partnership and friendship between our two universities."
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