Research, teaching and cultural links between the Northern Territory and China will be strengthened after Charles Darwin University and Hainan University, on China’s southern most island province of Hainan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover and his Hainan University counterpart, Professor Li Jianbao, signed the MoU during Professor Glover’s current visit to the country.
Speaking from Haikou, the tropical capital of Hainan Province and a sister city of Darwin, Professor Glover said the MoU would support the development and profile of the universities and assist them to thrive in the 21st Century.
“It’s clear that we are entering a dynamic era in terms of the influence of the Asian region and our collaboration with Hainan University will bolster the capacity of both universities to serve the needs of our shared region,” he said.
“I am delighted that this agreement is now in place. Together, our universities are well positioned to make a real contribution to the development of southeast Asia.”
Areas of joint expertise included tropical sciences, Indigenous tourism and health, marine studies, logistics, solar energy and sustainability, Professor Glover said.
Already, Hainan University academic Associate Professor Chen Zongmin is teaching Chinese at CDU’s Casuarina campus.
“We are also investigating the opportunity for a Confucius Center to be established at CDU under the instruction of Haida staff,” Professor Glover said.
Dr Chen will lead a group of 10 Australian students to China in October in what is hoped to be the first of many exchanges.
Darwin and Haikou have been sister cities since 1991.