Memorandum submitted by Universities UK
SUMMARY
1. The growth of the higher education sector
in China and the number of Chinese students studying in the UK
has had a significant effect on the UK sector. China is extremely
keen to encourage international co-operation and the exchange
of students.
2. Higher education (HE) is a lucrative
export industry for the UK. The number of Chinese students studying
in the UK has risen from 2,883 in 1997-98 to 32,000 in 2002-03
(17% of all international students in the UK).[17]
Many of these students are self-funded and a signal of the economic
growth and increasing wealth in China. They contribute around
£1.14 billion to the UK economy. Overseas students as a whole
provide around £10.2 billion for the UK economy, making higher
education a successful and growing export industry.[18]
3. China is also keen to receive international
students and the numbers of international students in Chinese
universities has increased significantly over the last few years.
According to the Chinese Ministry for Education, in 1999 there
were 44,711 international students in China; in 2003 there were
77,715.
4. The Chinese Government have made significant
increases in funding for their higher education sector. In 1998
they invested $6.7 billion in the sector; in 2001 they invested
$13.6 billion. Some institutions have also introduced tuition
fees. Opportunities have also developed for UK higher education
institutions (HEIs) to work with their Chinese counterparts.
CHINESE STUDENTS
IN UK HIGHER
EDUCATION
5. The number of Chinese students studying
in the UK is increasing rapidly. Table 1 shows the growth in numbers
since 1997-98.
6. These students pay around £7,000
per annum in fees and the same amount in living costs. They therefore
directly contribute around £448 million to the UK economy.
The multiplier for spending in the higher education sector has
been calculated to be 2.56, giving a total contribution of £1.14
billion to the UK economy.[19]
7. However, there are threats to this expanding
industry. In 2003, the Home Office introduced charges for international
students to extend their visas ("Leave to Remain").
These are set at £155 for applications made by post and £250
for applications made in person at Public Enquiry Offices. The
Home Office is currently considering raising the charges for international
students to extend their visas to nearly £500. A decision
is expected in early February 2005.
8. Universities UK believes that these additional
charges could reduce the attractiveness of the UK as a destination
for international students and have an impact on the number of
Chinese students coming to the UK.
Table 1
|
| No of Chinese Students in UK Higher Education
|
|
| 1997-98 | 2,883 |
| 1998-99 | 4,017 |
| 1999-2000 | 6,310 |
| 2000-01 | 12,095 |
| 2001-02 | 20,710 |
| 2002-03 | 32,000 * |
|
*Provisional Figure.
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency.
|
| |
CHINESE STUDIES
IN THE
UK
9. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE),
working with a panel of experts, undertook a review of Chinese
Studies in the UK in 1998. This was in response to concern, from
several quarters, that provision within the UK system was not
keeping pace with national needs for specialised knowledge and
advice.
10. The Review Panel recommended to the HEFCE Board that
up to £1 million a year for five years, starting in 1999-2000,
be made available as special grants to selected HEIs to strengthen
and expand their provision for teaching and research in Chinese
studies at Masters level. The fund also supported the acquisition
of library materials and the development of a national database
of academic expertise in relation to China now accessible at www.cos.com.
DEVELOPMENTS IN
CHINESE HIGHER
EDUCATION
11. The Chinese higher education system is rapidly developing
and reforming. There have been a number of mergers and partnerships
and also a focus on staff development, teaching quality enhancement,
regional university development, increasing access to higher education,
improving leadership and management, and increasing institutional
autonomy.
12. The 2003-07 Government Education Action Plan priorities
focus on improving basic education and creating world-class universities
in China. Projects 211 and 985 aim to establish a small number
of elite universities.
13. There is huge potential for expansion in the Chinese
system. By 2005 China aims to have 15 million students in higher
education, but this will only represent around 15% of the relevant
age cohort.
LINKS BETWEEN
THE UK AND
CHINESE HIGHER
EDUCATION SECTORS
14. Strategic Sino-UK HE collaboration has been developing
over a number of years. The Sino-UK programme of higher education
collaboration started in December 1996 as a three-year project
initiated by Vice-Minister Wei Yu. It has been supported at the
highest levels in both countries and was extended to five years
in September 1997, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
in Beijing, and a Memorandum in November 1999 covering both current
and new activities. A further Memorandum was signed in July 2004
in China.
15. The aim of the programme is to contribute to the
development of HE in the UK and China by learning from one another's
experience, and to strengthen links and strategic collaboration.
Key sponsoring organisations are the British Council (Beijing),
the Ministry of Education (Beijing) and the Higher Education Funding
Council for England (HEFCE). The programme has a UK national steering
group which includes the Director General of the British Council,
the Chief Executive of the HEFCE (Chairperson), the Director for
HE from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), and the
President of Universities UK (UUK).
16. As mentioned above, the Chinese state-funded "Project
211" aims to develop a number of universities to the level
of recognised international quality and standing by the year 2011.
The UK was invited by the Chinese Ministry of Education to collaborate
on projects covering key development areas of mutual strategic
interest. The following areas have formed the core focus of the
programme:
— Quality—the assessment of research and postgraduate
education in China (Project A—now completed).
— HE management—strategic planning and management
(Project B)
— E-collaboration—particularly academic networks,
electronic libraries and developments in using technology for
teaching and learning (Project C)
— HE and Industry links—Science parks and
Intellectual Property Rights (Project D).
Strategic Management (under Project B)
17. The aim of this project has been to share experience
of developments, tools and practices in strengthening institutional
strategic planning and management, both at national and institutional
levels. The 211 Project Office, the HEFCE and a selected number
of UK and Chinese HEIs have focused on sharing good practice in
aspects of HE strategic planning and management. The UK was also
invited to observe two Project 211-funded institutional reviews.
Leadership programme (under Project B)
18. China has invited the UK to develop a programme of
HE leadership development for prospective Chinese university leaders.
This will complement the annual forum between Chinese university
Presidents and UK Vice Chancellors, and build on the success of
similar programmes between China and other countries. It is intended
that key leaders from some of the high ranking Chinese universities
will benefit from placements with participating UK university
managers and leaders, and that a similar programme be designed
for placements in Chinese universities for UK personnel.
E-Learning Programme (under Project C)
19. A range of pilot projects are operating looking into
the benefits and issues of pedagogy, working cross-culturally,
and of publishing and intellectual property rights. The projects
will also inform the development of national policy initiatives
in distance education in both countries. A joint e-Learning working
group was convened in September 2001 to set the parameters for
co-operation and a Memorandum of Understanding and framework for
the programme was signed in May 2002.
20. The e-Learning programme is focussed on developing
the most effective means of using the internet and related electronic
technologies to deliver higher education programmes. The objectives
for the programme are to the further development of ICT and the
use of academic electronic networks in both countries. The project
will include the development of course materials, in the selected
areas, capable of being delivered through the Internet in the
two countries.
JANET-CERNET Link (under Project C)
21. The major academic networks of China (CERNET) and
the UK (JANET) have been connected by a broad band link since
October 1998. The Chinese Vice-Premier and UK Prime Minister formally
initiated the link in a ceremony in Beijing on 7 October 1998.
The original agreement between the two organisations was for a
period of three years with a review to take place in the third
year of operation. This review took place in February 2001. Since
the agreement, CERNET has been privatised and it is seeking extra
funding support from the Chinese Ministry of Education for the
contract extension. Recently, the HEFCE Chief Executive wrote
to Vice-Minister Zhang to seek clarification on future options.
A further joint review of the link and strategic options for the
future is planned for March 2003.
Intellectual Property Rights (under Project D)
22. With China's accession to World Trade Organisation
membership, the issue of intellectual property rights (IPR) has
become even more relevant. In both countries it is an integral
part of the process of technology transfer from universities into
the national economy. At the forum of university presidents and
vice chancellors in 2001 it was agreed that both sides would investigate
ways of spreading knowledge and good practice. It is intended
that IPR will be a focus at the annual VCs' and presidents' forum
to be held in May 2003. A report comparing current IPR practice
in each country will be discussed.
Chinese University Presidents'—UK Vice Chancellors' Forum
(all Projects)
23. This annual forum, which is hosted alternately by
China and the UK, provides on ongoing opportunity for the review
and discussion of key policy interests, new developments and issues
and future activities. It is attended by senior policy makers
as well as heads of institutions of both countries. Each year
Chinese/UK Ministers of Education have received visiting delegations.
INSTITUTIONAL LINKS
24. There are a large number of links between universities
in China and the UK in many subject areas. Universities UK would
be happy to provide examples to the Committee. A sample of the
links can be found in the publication produced by HEFCE, British
Council and Universities UK in November 2003 called Sharing A
Vision and available from HEFCE.
CONCLUSION
25. The Chinese HE system is expanding and the number
of Chinese students rapidly increasing. These provide economic
opportunities and threats for the UK. Universities are developing
close managerial and technological links with Chinese institutions,
and large numbers of Chinese students are studying in the UK bringing
social, cultural and economic benefits. However, the developing
Chinese HE system is contributing to an increasingly competitive
world market for international students and academics.
26. The Chinese Government is investing heavily in human
capital through higher education in order to boost economic development.
Further investment in UK higher education is necessary to ensure
that the UK can compete at the high-skill end of the international
labour market.
24 January 2005
17
Higher Education Statistics Agency; 2002-03 is a provisional figure. Back
18
The global value of education and training exports to the UK
economy, produced by the British Council, DfES and UK Trade
and Investment and carried out by Professor Geraint Jones from
Lancaster University Management School. Back
19
The Impact of Higher Education Institutions on the UK Economy,
Universities UK Report, 2002, p 27. Back
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