A partnership between the University of Aberdeen and South China Normal University (SCNU) has resulted in the creation of a joint institute specialising in data science and artificial intelligence.
The announcement follows approval of the collaboration from China’s Ministry of Education.
The first intake of students to the institute will start their studies in September 2021, with three undergraduate programmes on offer: BSc Artificial Intelligence, BSc Computing Science, and BSc Business Management and Information Systems. Students will spend all four years studying in China, being taught by staff from both universities.
The links between the universities are long-established, with a number of existing joint undergraduate programmes in Real Estate, Finance and Computing Science, enabling students from SCNU to study at Aberdeen, while staff from the University have also taught at SCNU.
Welcoming the agreement, professor Alan Speight, vice-principal for global student recruitment at the University of Aberdeen, said:
“This is an exciting time for both Universities, and I look forward to the launch of the Joint Institute in September. Our two institutions have enjoyed a long working relationship over many years, and we both welcome the further deepening of this successful partnership.
“Data and artificial intelligence is one of the University’s key interdisciplinary research challenges in our Aberdeen 2040 strategy which was launched last year to mark our 525th anniversary. The Joint Institute will align directly with our objectives in this important field. It will support the University's international ambitions to expand our networks and partnerships, as well as extending the reach of our teaching and research globally.”