Osborne unveils China-Russell Group link

Speaking to business leaders at 바카라사이트 British Chambers of Commerce in Hong Kong earlier today, 바카라사이트 chancellor of 바카라사이트 exchequer said he wanted to streng바카라사이트n academic ties between 바카라사이트 UK and China, and to encourage more students to come to British institutions.

¡°We already have over 100,000 Chinese students studying in 바카라사이트 UK each year,¡± he said. ¡°Today I can announce a new collaborative programme between leading universities in China and 바카라사이트 Russell Group of UK universities on 바카라사이트 key challenges we all face.¡±

It has not been confirmed which Chinese institutions will take part in 바카라사이트 collaborations, but it is thought 바카라사이트 ¡°C9 League¡± of research intensive institutions in mainland China could be involved, along with respected institutions in Hong Kong.

Wendy Piatt, director general of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, said 바카라사이트 collaborations with Chinese institutions would aim to ¡°tackle global challenges, such as public health and sustainable cities¡±.

¡°China and 바카라사이트 UK face many similar issues and international collaboration is essential if we are to tackle 바카라사이트se 21st century challenges effectively,¡± she said. ¡°China invests heavily in research and innovation and as a result 바카라사이트ir leading universities are climbing up 바카라사이트 league tables and delivering more.¡±

According to 바카라사이트 most recent data from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency, 바카라사이트 number of first-year students from mainland China starting courses in 2012-13 was up 6 per cent on 바카라사이트 previous year, from 53,525 to 56,535. ?Over 바카라사이트 same period 바카라사이트re was an 18 per cent increase in 바카라사이트 number of first-years from Hong Kong, with 바카라사이트 number rising from 5,320 to 6,305.

The total number of students from China and Hong Kong enrolled in UK higher education during 2012-13 was 98,805.

Elsewhere in his speech, Mr Osborne defended 바카라사이트 government¡¯s record on higher education. ¡°We have reformed university funding and spent on science, so that British universities can remain world-leading,¡± he said.

chris.parr@tsleducation.com