The Zhejiang University–University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE) participated in the recent UK–China Joint Institute Alliance Annual General Meeting and the UK–China Transnational Education Conference, held in Beijing on 15 – 16 October and hosted by Beijing University of Posts & Communications and Queen Mary University of London. Over 200 senior leaders from a network of 56 UK–China degree-level Joint Institutes came together with Senior government representatives in Beijing to share approaches to academic governance, student experience, research integration, and quality assurance. About the Alliance The UK–China Joint Institute Alliance was established in 2017 with the support of the British Council and the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and serves as a sector-wide platform for dialogue, policy engagement, collaboration, and the exchange of best practice in transnational education. Professor Sue Welburn, Executive Dean of Zhejiang University – University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE), has served as the UK Convenor of the Alliance since 2018, leading strategic coordination and partnership development across the network. Consequently, the University of Edinburgh (ZJE Hub, Edinburgh Medical School) serves as the UK Secretariat, coordinating UK member engagement, facilitating joint initiatives, and supporting collaborative research and institutional development across the Alliance. The Alliance brings together a unique network of Joint Institutes to collectively shape the future of UK–China transnational education. Our role is to share experience, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that joint programmes continue to deliver outstanding student outcomes and long-term academic value for both countries.Prof Sue Welburn, Executive Dean of ZJE and the UK Convenor of the Alliance Prof Welburn giving the closing speech to the successful 2025 UK-China Joint Institute Alliance meeting 2025 A model of sustained partnership Senior government representatives emphasised the importance of the Alliance in strengthening UK–China cooperation in higher education; Mr Hai Li, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges at the Ministry of Education, highlighted the Alliance’s strategic significance and from the UK side, Mr Nick Thomas, Director China at the British Council, recognised the Alliance as a model of sustained partnership. Professor Mike Shipston, Dean of International Partnerships, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, shared strategic insights from ZJE’s integration of research-led teaching, highlighting the importance of engaging students with research from the beginning of their academic journey and aligning postgraduate research opportunities across international boundaries. Shaping the future of UK-China transnational education These ongoing efforts by the UK-China Joint Institute Alliance to demonstrate a clear, collective vision are shaping an advanced educational framework that promises to deliver long-term benefits for the global academic community. It’s been truly heart-warming to see the UK-China TNE Alliance grow from 17 to 56 joint institutes over the past eight years - a powerful testament to collaboration and shared ambition. Ms Leina Shi Director Education, British Council China Publication date 11 Nov, 2025
