UCOL and Weifang University welcome first students to joint programme

Front row from L-R: Chen Lei, Director of Finance Department of the School of Economics and Management, Weifang University; Liu Wei, Dean of the School of Economics and Management, Weifang University; Hou Jinkui, Director of Academic Affairs Office, Weifang University; Shaun Li, Senior TNE Consultant, UCOL; Wang Chengduan, Vice President, Weifang University; Wang Xia, President, Weifang University; Dean Rankin, Executive Dean - Health & Humanities, UCOL; Paula Richardson, Academic Portfolio Manager - Business & ICT, UCOL; Li Deji, Secretary of the School of Economics and Management, Weifang University; Chen Siyu, Deputy Director of International Exchange and Cooperation Office, Weifang University; Cao Xingbo, Director of Student Affairs Department, Weifang University

UCOL’s joint programme in financial technology with Weifang University welcomed its first cohort of 110 ākonga this week as its inaugural courses commenced in Shandong Province, China.

Jasmine Groves, UCOL Chief Executive, says it is UCOL’s first joint international programme specifically focused on financial technology.

“UCOL is committed to growing our international reach and building genuine partnerships around the world that enrich our academic communities and provide future-focussed opportunities for ākonga.”

“The joint programme offers undergraduate courses that combine finance, data, digital systems and innovation, preparing students for a field that is changing how individuals, organisations and economies manage transactions, information and financial services.

Through the joint programme, students will experience teaching shaped by both Chinese and New Zealand academic traditions, with UCOL staff contributing specialist knowledge, practical expertise and New Zealand perspectives,” says Groves.

Ms Groves would like to thank University President Wang Xia, Party Secretary Lai Fengbo, and the leadership of Weifang University for their vision and commitment to establishing the joint programme.

“Establishing a joint programme across two countries requires shared ambition, careful planning, trust and strong relationships.

“I’d also like to acknowledge our inaugural students, who are at the very beginning of an exciting journey. As the first cohort, they have a unique opportunity to help establish this new learning community and set the foundations for those who will follow.” says Groves.

President Wang Xia says, “By bringing together the best of Chinese and international approaches to education with Weifang University’s traditions, we aim to develop a distinctive model for nurturing well-rounded graduates with strengths in finance, technology, languages and global engagement.”

“We are fully committed to ensuring the quality of the programme and to seeing the partnership between our two institutions take root, flourish and deliver lasting results.”

Dean Rankin, UCOL’s Executive Dean Health and Humanities, says the joint programme brings together the strengths and perspectives of Weifang University and UCOL to prepare students for that evolving future.

“Financial technology sits at the intersection of finance, data, digital systems and innovation. It is transforming how individuals, businesses and economies operate.

“We’ve brought together Weifang University’s capabilities in economics, management and applied education with UCOL’s strengths in industry-connected teaching and applied digital technology.

“It is an important partnership for UCOL and reflects our commitment to international education and to working with respected institutions that share our focus on quality, innovation, and student success.

“It also enables our two institutions to learn from one another and build connections that extend well beyond the classroom,” says Rankin.

“Eligible ākonga who complete the Undergraduate Cooperative Education Programme of Financial Technology between Weifang University and UCOL will graduate after four years, with a Bachelor of Economics in Financial Technology from Weifang University alongside UCOL’s Bachelor of Applied Management in Business Information Systems.”

UCOL has already established a joint programme with Xi’an University in Shaanxi Province, China and is in the process of establishing a joint programme with Xi’an Shiyou University, also in China.