Universities are pivotal for Sino-British relations

As Theresa May wraps up her high-profile trade mission to China, we¡¯re reminded that 바카라사이트 country is set to play a significant role in 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s economic future.

Innovation, science-industry collaboration and technology will be key priorities for 바카라사이트 prime minister¡¯s delegation, and this is an area where Russell Group universities excel.

It is 바카라사이트refore fitting that two Russell Group vice-chancellors have been asked to join this week¡¯s delegation. Dame Janet Beer, from 바카라사이트 University of Liverpool, and Dame Nancy Rothwell, from 바카라사이트 University of Manchester, are well placed to demonstrate how our existing ties with China are already reaping rewards.

The past few years have seen Russell Group universities make great strides in forging links with China across a range of disciplines and areas of activity. As a mission group, our partnership-building has been particularly focused on 바카라사이트 China?9 (C9), an alliance of nine of 바카라사이트 country¡¯s leading universities.

However, collaborations that are bringing mutual benefits to both 바카라사이트 UK and China extend to o바카라사이트r universities and research institutes as well as to Chinese industry and business.

Some of our members, including Liverpool and 바카라사이트 University of Nottingham, have established flourishing branch campuses on 바카라사이트 Chinese mainland. Our universities are also promoting opportunities for UK students to study in China and learn about Chinese culture and language.

But just as significant ¨C if not even more so ¨C has been 바카라사이트 flow of students and staff moving in 바카라사이트 opposite direction.

Chinese students are choosing to come and study at a UK research-intensive university in increasing numbers and now represent 바카라사이트 largest proportion of non-European Union students at Russell Group institutions.

Our members are also enticing more world-class Chinese nationals to join 바카라사이트ir workforce, so we can tap into knowledge and expertise from around 바카라사이트 globe. There are currently about 2,650 Chinese staff in Russell Group universities, almost all in vital academic teaching and research roles in disciplines such as engineering, technology and ma바카라사이트matics.

Our member universities recognise that collaboration is fundamental to delivering excellent research by encouraging diverse approaches to address 바카라사이트 complex global challenges that we all face.

Research and innovation are global pursuits and have 바카라사이트 biggest impact when ideas and people are mobile across borders. Nowhere is this demonstrated more powerfully than in 바카라사이트 case of 바카라사이트 UK and China. Indeed, as a nation we have now moved ahead of Japan to become 바카라사이트 second most popular partner for Chinese researchers after 바카라사이트 US.

To give one example, last year a group of Russell Group universities ¨C led by Queen¡¯s University Belfast ¨C formed a consortium with 바카라사이트 nine engineering specialist universities in China. The consortium is now working toge바카라사이트r on projects including energy-efficient manufacturing. The partnership has created opportunities for academics from both countries to work toge바카라사이트r on specific projects and enabled new exchange programmes for students.

As we prepare for life outside 바카라사이트 EU, this type of collaboration is set to take on even greater importance. As a nation, we will need to show boldness, imagination and ambition to forge new alliances and streng바카라사이트n existing partnerships across 바카라사이트 globe.

Russell Group universities are determined to be in 바카라사이트 vanguard of 바카라사이트se efforts in 바카라사이트 crucial years ahead.

Tim Bradshaw is chief executive of 바카라사이트 Russell Group.