XJTLU Receives Accreditation by the University of Liverpool

(XJTLU, China 20th October 2010) A delegation of University of Liverpool led by Professor Kelvin Everest, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and Director of Academic Affairs for China, made a three-day visit to XJTLU for the Re-accreditation for Undergraduate Provision and Accreditation for Taught Postgraduate Provision.

Other members of the delegation include Professor Michael Hoey, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation; Ms Catherine Jones, Academic Secretary; Professor Steve Flint, Director of International Research Collaboration and Dean of Graduate Studies; Professor Steve Edeards, Head of School of Biological Sciences; Mrs. Dan Chen Owen, Senior International Officer and Ms. Ann Cooke, Teaching Quality Support Officer.

The University of Liverpool undertakes accreditation visit to XJTLU every five years to determine the suitability of XJTLU delivering undergraduate programmes leading to University of Liverpool awards. This visit is for re-accreditation to award University of Liverpool undergraduate degrees for the period from 2011 to 2016, following the first accreditation visit in November 2007.

According to the Accreditation Agreement, annual monitoring visits would be undertaken to monitor the development of XJTLU, to ensure that XJTLU is maintaining appropriate academic standards, with due regard to regulations, policies and procedures, and the powers conferred by the Accreditation have been properly exercised.

Another important agenda of the visit is to accredit XJTLU for awarding University of Liverpool taught postgraduate degrees from 2011/12.

During the three-day visit, the delegation held meetings with a wide range of people including senior management team, heads of academic departments and staff and student representatives to understand the University s position and standing within the Chinese education system, organisational and management structure, arrangements of learning, teaching and assessment, staff recruitment and development, student support, recruitment, marketing strategy, management of quality assurance process.

The delegation also had a tour of facilities in the new Science Building, and was impressed by the successful completion and occupation of the building. The delegation was also very pleased with progress the University has made since last year s Annual Monitoring Visit.

On the feedback meeting held on 20th October, the delegation gave an oral feedback of the outcomes of the visit. The delegation indicated that the University of Liverpool was very happy to re-accredit XJTLU to award University of Liverpool undergraduate degrees for the period from 2011 to 2016, and that they would accredit XJTLU for awarding University of Liverpool taught postgraduate degrees from 2011/12 subject to provision of long-term planning of PGT programme.

The delegation also recommended that the University should establish more links to contribute to the development of regional economy, to develop constructive connections with the University of Liverpool, to enhance the management of academic departments, to pay careful attention to the healthy and safe use of new buildings and laboratories, and to strengthen the implementation of the external moderation and examination systems.

Following the Accreditation Visit, a formal report will be issued to XJTLU for the development of an Action Plan towards the recommendations made in the report. Formal agreement of the accreditation outcomes will be signed between XJTLU and the University of Liverpool shortly.