The University of Central Lancashire is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their partnership with Hebei University.
Established in 2014, the partnership between the two universities has grown significantly. It now offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Art, Design and Media, validated by the University of Central Lancashire and delivered at Hebei University. The HBU-UCLan Joint School is now the home for 830 students and 63 staff. It hosts 6 dual degrees, 2 MA programmes and a International Foundation Year validated by both HBU and UCLan.
The campus in Baoding has become a hub for creativity. The HBU-UCLan Joint School has state-of-the-art facilities designed to help students develop high level creative thinking, supported by hands-on, problem-solving and digital skills. This will prepare students for global careers in the creative industries.
The celebrations in November 2024 provided an opportunity to reflect on a decade of shared accomplishments, transformative experiences, and enduring friendships. This milestone is a testament to the resilience and dedication of the joint school staff, and students, who have worked tirelessly to make HBU-UCLan a beacon of academic excellence and innovation.
HBU-UCLan was selected and included in a prestigious list of the best 20 joint institutes in China for the year 2024. This is a significant accolade and a testament to the collaborative efforts and unwavering commitment of both institutions to providing world-class education and fostering global citizenship among their students.
The Academic Dean of the Joint School, Professor Dean Lv's steadfast commitment to academic excellence and innovation has played a pivotal role in advancing the partnership and nurturing students’ talents. Her dedication and leadership was recognised through the award of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Central Lancashire in 2021.
The University is proud of the outstanding achievements of students, who have won awards in international competitions and exhibitions over the last decade. These accolades are a testament to their creativity, talent and hard work, and they serve as a source of inspiration for future generations.
As part of the collaboration, the University of Central Lancashire welcomes several students and lecturers to their summer school programme on the Preston campus each year. This further enriches our academic community and fosters cross-cultural exchange.
Last year, HBU-UCLan was delighted to host the visit of the British Ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson (Chinese name Wu Ruolan) to the Joint School in Baoding. She was deeply impressed by what she saw and expressed her hope that the two universities would continue to promote the integration of industry, education and research. Supporting and further cultivating the innovative talents that are so urgently needed by businesses and other enterprises in NE China. She hoped that the co-operation between the two universities would produce a new model of Sino-British joint education.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the partnership faced significant challenges. However, both institutions adapted and learned to cope online by strengthening their technological infrastructure and reaffirming their commitment to innovation and practice-based learning, even though this had to be done remotely for a period.
Looking to the future, the partnership aims to continue progressing and evolving, setting new standards for trans-national education by blending Sino-British perspectives and creating cultural integration in new creative forms and ideas. This celebration has reflected on past successes while looking ahead to new developments that prepare students for a changing global dynamic. The Joint School is confident that this partnership will continue to thrive and inspire the creative generations of the future.