Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
2 days ago
A formal online signing ceremony was held in June this year to extend for five years a successful partnership between EIT’s School of Viticulture and Wine Science and Qilu University of Technology (QLUT) in Jinan, China.
A successful partnership between EIT’s School of Viticulture and Wine Science and Qilu University of Technology (QLUT) in Jinan, China has been extended for another five years.
EIT’s Head of the School of Viticulture and Wine Science, Sue Blackmore, says the agreement has proved to be successful with students benefitting from the collaboration between the two institutions.
“We are excited to extend the contract as the relationship is beneficial to both parties. We are hoping that our staff will be able to return to China in February next year. COVID-19 tested everyone involved because teaching had to move online for 3 years. It has been challenging to teach 160 students a year theory and practical skills. The collaboration with the Chinese staff has been crucial.”
A Joint Education Programme (JEP) was approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education in 2015. The first cohort of students was recruited in September 2015. In 2017, QLUT and EIT signed a Heads of Agreement to deliver a joint Bachelor of Brewing Engineering (Wine) at the university in Jinan, Shandong Province, which has involved EIT staff travelling and teaching in China.
Once students graduate with the Bachelor of Brewing Engineering in China, they are eligible to travel to New Zealand and with a further two years of study at EIT’s Hawke’s Bay Campus they can complete a double degree; QLUT Bachelor of Brewing Engineering (Wine) and EIT’s Bachelor of Wine Science.
Philippa Jones, EIT’s Executive Director, International, says: “Our Qilu University of Technology partnership is an excellent example of how EIT|Te Pῡkenga is building on our academic, applied and research strengths to build long term strategic international education partnerships that benefit our teachers, students, regional and national industries and communities.”
The extension of the agreement was formally signed online in June this year.
