Prof. Michael Driscoll, chancellor of Middlesex University London, Christine Wang, China regional director, led a party to visit Xiamen University on 9th March, receiving warm reception by Prof. Li Jianfa, the vice-chancellor, Chen Zhiwei, deputy director general of International Office, Prof. Zheng Tongtao, Dean of International College, and Huang Guanhua, office director of International College.

They had friendly discussion on various issues, including respective social affairs, discipline construction and mutual visit. Prof. Li introduced the visitors our discipline construction and campus construction plan in recent years, and pointed out the possible fields where the two universities can have further communication and cooperation, looking forward to the further development of the mutual relationship. Prof. Michael Driscoll also invited our leaders to visit their university.

Prof. Zheng also communicated with Prof. Michael Driscoll on the cooperative results and future cooperation.  

International College has become one of the SQA HND’s cooperative colleges in China since 2006. It adopts the “3+2” school-running mode, which means students should finish the first three years’ study in International college of XMU, afterwards, they go for the cooperative foreign universities to complete the last-year course, and the can choose to apply for postgraduate study in the fifth year. The cooperation between International College and Middlesex University London gained satisfactory results in the past few years. Fourteen students graduated in 2006 went to Middlesex University London, and 80% of them got at least lower second degree. Currently, most of them are having postgraduate study in Middlesex University London or other universities in UK. Twenty students graduated in 2007 went to Middlesex University London, and three of them won scholarship of 3000 pounds. 

Prof. Michael Driscoll spoke highly of the mutual cooperation and achievements, and he also promised that the best student who applies for Middlesex University London will get the full scholarship this year.

Prof. Zheng then discussed Prof. Michael Driscoll with the expansion of the cooperative fields. He proposed that, with the gradual development of Chinese animation industry, animation design has become one of the most popular majors. With the emerging animation bases in western coast of Taiwan Strait especially Xiamen and the advantage of the major of mass media and animation design in Middlesex University London, we can have further cooperation in this field, which got the agreement given by Prof. Michael Driscoll. Prof. Zheng introduced that the majors concerning design in Middlesex University London had kept the leading role in U.K even in Europe. Many design and research and development of products from some famous brands such as Apple, Dior, D&G all came from this university. In addition, Prof. Zheng hoped that, with reference to the Chinese-foreign school-running pattern, the two universities can have cooperation in the fields such as postgraduate programs on business communication and business administration. 

Founded in 1878, Middlesex University is a university in Hendon, north west London, England. As is the case with many former polytechnics, Middlesex can trace its history back to the 19th century, yet was not formally organised as a teaching institution until 1973. In 1992, it was upgraded into Middlesex University. As the sixth largest public university and the largest university and educational organization in London, after a century’s development, it has become a modern university with high reputation and advanced teaching facilities and first-class teaching groups. 

Courses at Middlesex are now delivered by the schools of Business, Law, Art and Design, Health and Education, Media and Performing Arts and Science and Technology, alongside the university Institute for Work Based Learning. More than 200 undergraduate degrees, nearly 100 postgraduate and PHD degrees are offered by Middlesex.