Monash University will soon begin enrolling students at its purpose-built graduate school near Shanghai, after becoming the first Australian university to be granted a licence to operate in China.
The landmark partnership with China's Southeast University (SEU) will provide advanced postgraduate education to more than 1400 students, and gives Monash a presence on the ground in one of the world's largest economies.
Monash University - Suzhou, China.
Following recent endorsement by China's Ministry of Education, the Southeast University-Monash University Joint Graduate School (Suzhou) will officially welcome its first students later this year.
Located in Suzhou, near Shanghai, the Graduate School will feature postgraduate courses in a range of disciplines including nanotechnology, biomedicine, environmental science, transportation, industrial design, economics, and software, thermal and mechanical engineering.
Students will graduate with degrees from both SEU and Monash.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Monash University, Professor Ed Byrne said the partnership with China was the next step for a globally engaged university.
"This is an exciting development for both Monash and Southeast University," Professor Byrne said.
"The partnership allows us to prepare students to be international citizens, equipped to meet the rigours of a workforce in transition.
"China has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with an impressive record of innovation. This makes it an ideal location for a progressive university such as Monash."
Dean of the Monash Faculty of Engineering and Vice-President of the University's Indian and Chinese Initiative, Professor Tam Sridhar said the teaching strengths of SEU complemented those of Monash.
"This agreement reflects SEU's understanding of Monash University’s research and education excellence," Professor Sridhar said.
The Graduate School will accept 350 masters students and 150 PhD candidates each year, building to a capacity of more than 1400 by 2017.
Ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, SEU is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in China.
Monash is Australia's largest university, with six Australian campuses, international campuses in Malaysia and South Africa, and research centres in India and Italy. It is currently ranked among the top one per cent of world universities.
