The University is celebrating the success of the first students to graduate from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU).
The joint venture institution, established by the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University, is now marking its fourth anniversary.
XJTLU is a new international model for higher education that gives Chinese students the opportunity to experience the best of Chinese and Western styles of learning. Its teaching strategy blends the emphasis on personal development and social responsibility that is intrinsic to learning in China with the problem-solving and active learning elements of a Western education.
From the second year of study, all programmes are developed exclusively in English with the aim of developing international-calibre graduates with an excellent command of English and a high degree of inter-cultural awareness and sensitivity. Students have various options for study, and, after two years they are able to transfer to Liverpool to complete their degree.
Professor Sir Howard Newby, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said: “I’m delighted to see the first cohort of XJTLU students graduate. They have uniquely benefited from a truly international education. The world into which they graduate is one which is multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic – XJTLU has prepared them for that world and they have a true sense of global citizenship.”
Professor Youmin Xi, Executive Vice-President of XJTLU, said: “Congratulations to all our graduating students who have worked so hard to obtain their degrees. XJTLU has been widely acclaimed and is growing rapidly. In 2006, just 164 students were admitted to the University. This September, we are expecting over 1,700 new students.
“Our graduation ceremony is an historic event: firstly, because it marks the culmination of over six years planning and development of our university, and secondly, because it is the first time that students anywhere in China will graduate from a Sino-UK university with both Chinese and British degrees.”
“¢ A ceremony will also be held at the Liverpool Pavillion at Shanghai Expo on Monday, 9 August to confer honorary degrees on John Whittaker, Chairman of Peel Holdings, and Professor Zhou Hanmin, Deputy Director of Shanghai Expo. The ceremony will provide an opportunity for Liverpool graduates from China who were unable to attend their own graduation to celebrate the completion of their degrees with family and friends.