Coventry University celebrates as first students from its joint institution on Hainan Island, China graduate
Coventry University has marked the graduation of the first students at its joint institution with the Communication University of China, on Hainan Island.
Coventry University and the Communication University of China were approved to open a joint institution at the Hainan Lingshui Li’an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone and this week saw the first graduation ceremony at the institution.
The news comes as the university says its overseas student population has grown to 24,395 - up by more than 5,000 since 2019/20 as part of plans to diversify outside of the UK.
The move comes as universities deal with policies implemented by successive UK governments aiming to control immigration, causing a fall in the number of international students coming to the country.
Professor Latham says: “This is an incredibly proud moment for Coventry University Group to see the first graduates from our joint institution in Hainan earn their degrees. We have long recognised the benefits of developing our international activities, which not only benefits those students who gain a prestigious Coventry University accredited qualification but helps us share best research practices, benefiting our learners in the UK.
“In just five years our various partners around the world have invested more than £1 billion into Coventry University branded or branch campuses, which reflects how highly valued quality UK higher education is internationally.”
Zhang Shaohua, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Communication University of China adds: “I encourage the graduates to use their original aspirations as a torch to strengthen their ideals and beliefs, to use perseverance as a sail to maintain an optimistic and open-minded attitude in the face of adversity, and to use striving forward as an oar to develop a lifelong learning habit. I’d urge the graduates to be far-sighted and down-to-earth and to break new ground with their passion.”
