The China Culture Investment Group (CCIG) is working with the University of York to invest up to £200m to develop new education and industrial training provisions aimed at overseas students – including those from China.
It comes following the rapid growth of film and television in the country, where there is an increasing need for highly skilled staff. The intention is to recruit up to 300 students a year from China.
“This £200m programme is a huge achievement for the University of York and will provide an excellent facility for students both from China and across the Northern Powerhouse area,” stated Prime Minister David Cameron.
The programmes will be taught by University of York staff, which will also take responsibility for entrance standards and course quality. CCIG will invest to develop new facilities and be responsible for recruitment of students.
It’s expected that the first ones will arrive in 2018.
“There is much work to be done to finalise the details but we are confident that this represents a remarkable shared opportunity for York and CCIG,” said vice-chancellor, Professor Koen Lamberts.
“York is a university with an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and research. We believe that education delivered with a global context provides excellent preparation for all of our students to compete at the highest level anywhere.”
Professor Lamberts signed a framework agreement with Geng Zhenhao, CEO of the CCIG at an event at Lancaster House attended by the President of China and Prince William.
“We are delighted to be working with the University of York in developing this important initiative. There is an ever expanding need for highly trained graduates to work in the film and television industry in China and across the world. We look forward very much to continuing our discussions with the University to deliver innovative education and industrial training programmes to overseas students including Chinese students,” added Mr Zhenhao.
