The University of Bath recently strengthened links with the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), China by announcing a new scheme that will allow elite Chinese engineering students to continue their studies at Bath on a BEng programme.

Dean of Engineering Professor Gary Hawley and the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Kevin Edge recently attended the 90th anniversary celebrations of the HIT in China, taking place in the official ceremonial proceedings held at the HIT sports stadium.

Professor Edge said: “We have had informal research links with HIT in the past but this agreement is an important step as we seek to develop a substantial and mutually beneficial partnership with one of the top universities in China.”

The visit also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to promote the relationship between the two departments of engineering.

Professor Hawley outlined the new programme for elite engineering students which will allow the top 5% of students, who are in the Elite Scholar Programme at HIT, to move into the BEng in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath. The scheme is expected to start next year.

The University of Bath is one of the leading universities in the UK, ranked in the top fifteen of The Guardian, Times, Sunday Times and Independent national league tables. It is also a member of the 1994 Group, which represents nineteen of the UK’s leading student-focused research-intensive universities to promote excellence and teaching.