Queen’s in China: Providing joint degrees with China Medical University
China Medical University – The Queen's University of Belfast Joint College (CQC in short) was jointly established by China Medical University and Queen's University Belfast in 2014.
Based in new facilities located in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, within the north east of China, CQC is a Sino-foreign joint venture of education approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education.
CQC is Queen’s flagship transnational education (TNE) project, helping to meet the growing international demand for quality higher education. Its goal is to provide students with an internationally recognised education which supports future careers in the growing pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors within China.
It welcomed around 60 high quality students in its first year, and over 250 students are now enrolled at the college, with growth to more than 500 students expected by 2019.
Building on strong links in the region
Queen’s already enjoys strong educational and cultural ties with China. The joint college is helping the University fulfil its commitment to developing global citizens, providing opportunities for student and staff exchange between Belfast and China.
These activities will continue to strengthen Queens’ alumni network in the world’s largest student market.
CQC represents the largest and most significant partnership between Queen’s and a leading Chinese university. It adds to a portfolio of research and education partnerships within China, including joint research laboratories in Harbin Institute of Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University and Beijing Institute of Technology.
CQC also strengthens the strategic relationship between Belfast and Shenyang which became sister cities earlier this year.
Internationally leading courses
CQC students initially complete a foundation year that ensures their grasp of English and core scientific skills are to a high standard. In their second year students begin Queen’s degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, with these modules taken alongside a CMU degree in Pharmacy.
The college delivers Queen’s undergraduate programmes entirely in English, and there are plans to add other health care focused BSc programmes including Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences and Nursing to the courses on offer.
Vice-Dean Professor David Rooney is tasked with ensuring CQC operates to the highest academic standards and maintaining clear communication between CQC and Queen’s University Senate. Professor Rooney works closely with his counterparts from CMU, Dean Professor Yao Jiang and Vice-Dean Professor Sha Lei.
“As Vice-Dean of CQC, I am delighted about our exciting educational venture.
The degree programmes are of the highest academic quality, to the same standards as they are taught in the UK, delivered in English by excellent academic staff from both QUB and CMU and will equip graduates from CQC with the skills needed to pursue a rewarding career in the growing pharmaceutical sector in China and internationally.
I am honoured to be working with such excellent academic staff within an exceptional new campus.”
Prof. David Rooney, Vice-Dean, CQC
Dean of Internationalisation for Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Professor Colin McCoy, is working alongside the Queen’s and CMU teams to develop the future of CQC.
“As our partnership in undergraduate education grows, we are also looking to develop strong collaborative research opportunities. CQC graduates will be ideally placed to engage in research in areas of interest to both UK and Chinese societies.
The expertise between our Institutions in tackling issues in healthcare, such as developing new ways of treating older patients, who often require ongoing treatment with several drugs, will be key to our success.”