Pioneering Chinese education link to bring economic benefits

THE Liverpool economy is set to reap increasing economic benefits as the University’s pioneering venture in China grows further.

Located in Suzhou, an hour south west of Shanghai, Xi’an Jiatong-Liverpool University is an unique joint venture between Liverpool University and Xi’an Jiatong University.

Founded in 2006 with an intake of 164 students, major investment in the campus just completed will take new student numbers to 1,700. By 2015 XJTLU as it is known is expected to have 10,000 students on its books.

Although non-profit making – Liverpool University will not be able to take any money directly from XJTLU – particularly the investment in new buildings has been funded by the regional Chinese government – many students are opting to transfer to Liverpool to complete their degrees, bringing a major boost to the Merseyside economy.

Professor David Sadler, who moved from his position as pro-vice chancellor in Liverpool four months ago to be effective second in command at XJTLU for a three-year secondment, told TheBusinessDesk.com: “At the moment there are 700 of our students studying in Liverpool, a number which I expect to grow in the future.

“If we factor the number onwards as we grow we could be looking at this number growing to 1,000 to 1,500 people, all needing a place to live, all needing to move around the city and live. I think that is a pretty big impact on the region.

“Students can also benefit the region’s businesses too, as there is the potential for them to work for two years after graduation. These are highly skilled, hard-working, culturally aware and motivated people.”

Lawyer Andrew Roberts, a partner at DLA Piper in Liverpool, who visited XJTLU last week during his visit to Shanghai and the World Expo, believes educating senior Chinese business people of the future could benefit the city in other ways.

“In XJTLU, the University of Liverpool has been instrumental in building a fantastic new university at Suzhou, which I am sure will prove to be a real asset for the Liverpool city region for years to come.

“Having spent time in our city, the Chinese students who graduate from XJTLU will always have Liverpool close to their hearts and that could pay economic dividends for our area in the future when these young people – as the most talented of them surely will – take up senior decision-making positions in global corporations or some of the fastest growing Chinese companies.

“These international businesses may well be among those looking to invest somewhere in the UK in future and having that Liverpool connection could prove to be the vital tipping point.”

Unlike the only other similar link-up, XJTLU has degree awarding status from both Liverpool University and the Chinese education authorities. Nottingham University’s link with Ningbo University is a branch campus rather than being a full joint venture, Mr Sadler said.

XJTLU offers 19 different degree programmes, the most popular courses being financial mathematics, business and computing, while subjects such as civil engineering, architecture and town planning are growing in popularity.

Prof Sadler said:”The Chinese government is planning for another 250 million people to move into cities, mostly in the east of the country, so there is huge interest around the built environment and a huge jobs market for architects, town planners and civil engineers.”

Currently on a drive to increase staff numbers from 75 to 125, Prof Sadler says there is scope for both students and staff from Liverpool University to experience XJTLU, for short spells or longer periods of time.

“We obviously want to be more research-led and we’re looking at a variety of ways of enhancing the staff recruitment processes –  we’re beginning to use recruitment agencies in Europe and elsewhere. Financially I think it’s an attractive option as there are tax breaks in the first year.”

XJTLU is located on Suzhou’s huge and impressive Science Education Investment District, which since 2002 has become home to 16 universities and rising numbers of some of the world’s biggest companies.