The Melbourne School of Engineering and the College of Engineering at Peking University (PKU) have formally signed an agreement on December 10 to enter into the Global Educational Exchange Initiative (GLOBEX).

The agreement is for a three-year program commencing in 2014 that would allow students from both universities to study in the other’s institute for a one-semester duration. In addition to their program of study, students may work on research projects with a Host institution staff member.

A memorandum of understanding was signed at Peking University by PKU College of Engineering Dean Dongxiao Zhang and Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) of the University of Melbourne Professor Simon Evans.

According to the agreement, the parties agree to exchange up to five exchanges units during any one academic year. Further, academic staff participation in course delivery in English and research collaboration is encouraged.

Prior to the agreement signing, PKU Vice President Professor Yansong Li met with Professor Evans of Melbourne and talked about the collaborations between the two institutions. Professor Pingchou Han, assistant dean for international relations of the College of Engineering and director of the Globex program participated in the meeting.

Globex is an pioneering global undergraduate education exchange initiative by the College of Engineering in 2011. By now, seventeen prestigious universities in the world have participated in this innovative collaboration, including Stanford University in U.S., University of Toronto in Canada, Yokohama National University in Japan, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Tsinghua University in China.

Agreement signing by Dongxiao Zhang, PKU Dean of Engineering and Simon Evans, University of Melbourne Pro Vice-Chancellor (International)