There is something particularly exciting about seeing a new academic partnership move from an idea on paper to a vibrant community of students embarking on their university journey. This September, 99 students began their studies on a new double-degree programme in Language Science, delivered through a collaborative transnational education (TNE) partnership between Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) and Lancaster University.
The programme represents an important milestone in the longstanding collaboration between the two universities and an exciting opportunity to develop the next generation of graduates with expertise in language, communication, statistics and corpus linguistics.
Hainan campus – getting ready to meet the students for the first time
The partnership also reflects the growing momentum behind UK–China transnational education. The British Council recently highlighted a new wave of approved UK–China TNE partnerships, illustrating the opportunities for universities in both countries to develop innovative models of international collaboration.
Read more: Newly approved UK–China TNE partnerships – British Council
A memorable beginning in Hainan
I had the great privilege of travelling to Hainan to help open the programme and, most importantly, to meet the students who are its first cohort.
Meeting 99 students at the very beginning of their university journey was a particularly rewarding experience. Their enthusiasm and curiosity brought the programme to life in a way that no curriculum document or project plan ever could. It was also an opportunity to talk about the exciting possibilities that studying Language Science can offer and the distinctive international experience they are embarking on.
Meeting the students
Group photo
Read more: Xi’an Jiaotong University – programme opening
Further coverage from XJTU (WeChat)
Looking ahead
Launching a new double-degree programme is a substantial undertaking, requiring close collaboration across academic teams, professional services and university leadership. It is particularly rewarding to see the collective effort of colleagues at Lancaster and XJTU translate into a tangible educational opportunity for this first cohort.
Interested in a behind-the-scenes look? Watch my vlog from Hainan.
