CHINA, Kunshan, December 19, 2012 – Today Wuhan University, Duke University, and the city of Kunshan, Jiangsu Province are joined by the Chinese Ministry of Education in a ceremony marking approval for preparations for Duke Kunshan University (DKU), a joint venture of higher education and an important step in the establishment of a world-class university. A series of ceremonial activities are held in Kunshan City, including the Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding of Cooperation Between Duke University and Wuhan University, Preparation Approval Press Conference, Unveiling Ceremony, Media Interview, and etc.
The Memorandum of Understanding of Cooperation Between Duke University and Wuhan University were signed by President Richard Brodhead and President Li Xiaohong. This is the fifth agreement that extends the joint efforts from DKU to direct academic cooperation between the two universities. As President Li Xiaohong put it, the MOU is “a start for a new round of opportunities for the two institutions to tighten the partnership by student and faculty exchanges, joint research, administrator’s training and other programs”.
At the followingPress Conference, Peter Lange, Chairman of DKU Board of Trustees, and Chancellor Liu Jingnan, former President of Wuhan University and academician of the Chinese Academic of Engineering, presented the mission, the development plan, academic programs, student recruitment and other important information of this new institution. President Li Xiaohong, President Richard Brodhead, Vice Mayor Jin Ming of the city of Kunshan, on behalf of the co-builders, introduced their efforts to build this university in the soil of China. A number of tough questions from over 30 media were answered by the speakers after the news briefing.
In the Unveiling Ceremony, before the plaque of Duke Kunshan University (Preparation) were unveiled, Mr. Sheng Jianxue, Deputy Director of the Department of International Exchanges and Cooperation, Ministry of Education, announced the approval of preparation of DKU by Ministry of Education.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Prof. Liu Jingnan said: “Duke Kunshan University is a bold project to drive innovation in Chinese international education. It represents a real chance to explore new models of higher education in China and sets an example for other Sino-international cooperative schools.”
Duke Kunshan University represents a key step in Wuhan University’s process of globalization and its endeavor to transform into a world-class comprehensive research university with Chinese characteristics. President Li Xiaohong added: “International cooperation has burgeoned in recent years and is a key driver of innovation in higher level education and scientific research. Duke Kunshan University is our latest investment in this innovative approach to academia and builds on our relationships with more than 300 universities and research institutes in over 40 countries and regions.”
Duke Kunshan University, a joint venture university formed by Wuhan University, Duke University in USA and Kunshan City will initially offer a range of graduate degrees and undergraduate semester programs for Chinese and international students.
Duke Kunshan University will blend the academic legacy and culture of Duke University with Chinese traditions, resulting in a new approach to elite, higher education in China. The partnership builds on the goals to introduce quality educational resources from foreign countries to China, first outlined in “The Outline of the National Plan for Medium and Long-term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020).”
The university’s rigorous academic offerings will require students to master academic material, generate new ideas, and develop creative solutions to the world's challenges, preparing them not just for careers in specific fields, but to become a globally sophisticated citizens and leaders.
