Jesus College greatly values building relationships with our supporters and collaborators in China. We are proud to offer a “College home” within the University of Oxford to supportive Chinese academic institutions, trusts and foundations and corporations.
In recent years, we have been developing relationships with contacts in both Hong Kong and mainland China via the following projects:
Summer short programme and student exchange
Every summer and winter we co-organize a programme of visiting students from a selection of elite China universities including Tsinghua, Shanghai Jiaotong, Jilin, Xiamen, Zhejiang etc, who attend a one or two-week study trip at the University of Oxford. The College provides catering, accommodation and teachings in part to guarantee students enjoy a real Oxford College. For more details on the programme, please contact OPP Office Director Dr Shidong Wang (shidong.wang@maths.ox.ac.uk) or contact him via Oxford university internal line 84425.
In terms of student exchange, in June 2015 we undertook our first Asian choir tour to Hong Kong, Macao, Shanghai and Hangzhou. Our students performed joint concerts with the local host universities including Fudan University at Shanghai.
Cross-cultural dialogue and forum
In October 2015 we hosted a China-Britain Cultural Dialogue programme during President Xi Jinping’s national visit to the UK. During a reception at the College our Principal, Sir Nigel Shadbolt, met with Mr Mingqiu Qi, the Executive Chairman of the Song Ching-Ling Foundation.
Most recently, we hosted the Oxford Higher Education Forum on 19 February 2016 with the participation of nine universities from China (including Tsinghua, Fudan, Shanghai Jiaotong, Zhejiang University), and six universities from the UK, including Imperial College and Warwick University.
Scholarships
In 2016 we have secured funding for two graduate students from China, with matched-funding from the China Scholarship Council (CSC). One studentship is part-funded by Jesus College alumni and The Nuffield Department of Medicine, and the other, the CSC-Oxford Prospects Jinan Innovation-Jesus College Graduate Studentship, is supported by the Jinan International Business Incubator (hyperlink). The studentships provide support for a student normally resident in Hong Kong or Mainland China to study for a DPhil (three years) at Jesus College.
“As a first-time international student, being a member of Jesus College has definitely made my transition into Oxford much easier than I expected. Upon my arrival, the very friendly and supportive staff and the convenient location and facilities of the college immediately put me at ease. The various activities going on in the College have brought me joy and growth. What’s more, being part of a vibrant student community, especially living in a house full of friendly souls and talented minds from all over the world, means that non-essay time is never dull.” Min Zha, MSc in Education
Plans for building future relationships:
At a student level with plans for new endowed graduation studentship for a student from China to study at the College. It is part of our strategy to ensure the College continues to attract international students and academics and fosters a spirit of global citizenship within our community. To this end, we are reaching out to our alumni in Hong Kong and Mainland China to ask you to help us in this endeavour, through supporting a Graduate Studentship for a student from the this part of the world to study at Jesus, and to engage with our alumni and student community, both socially and professionally.
For further information about these projects, please contact Rachel Page on rachel.page@jesus.ox.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1865 616812.
Oxford University and China
Oxford University's engagement with China began in the 17th century when the Bodleian library acquired its first Chinese manuscript (1604).
Recent years have seen a deepening of the key relationship between China and Oxford. The strength of Oxford’s ties in China, and the importance the University pays to the country have been highlighted by the launch of major new initiatives, the visit of Chinese officials, and the continuing growth in the number of excellent Chinese students who choose to study in Oxford.
Landmark recent events:
For further information about Chinese students at Oxford, please visit here.