Wales’ ten universities have come together to offer training and expertise to the growing Chinese market in a major project.
The Wales Higher Education Training Consortium has been officially unveiled by the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones whilst on a visit to China to promote Wales.
The new consortium will make the expertise of the Welsh university sector available to China. The project will pool the knowledge and expertise of Wales’ Universities to meet the needs of the Chinese market.
The group will work with the Municipality of Chongqing to establish the Chongqing-Europe Training Centre. The Consortium will then expand its work with individual organisations in China.
Speaking at the event at Chongqing University of Technology, the First Minister said: “I am delighted to be here to witness the launch of the Wales Higher Education Training Consortium. This is the first time that all ten universities of Wales have come together to create a single, comprehensive offer of training to any part of the world.
“The fact that this has happened fully recognises the special relationship that Wales has with Chongqing and this offering cannot be matched by any single university in the world.
“This Consortium will make use of the strengths at different Universities on different subjects so as to provide a tailored service for Chinese partners. Through the Universities’ vast resources and contacts, the consortium intends to provide a complete support service for governments, institutions, business and individuals across China. I wish the Training Consortium well and I am sure it has an exciting future ahead of it.”
Wales’ Further Education colleges will also provide training services with the Wales-Chongqing Further Education Consortium in Chongqing.
Chair of CollegesWales International David Jones said: “The aims of the Wales-Chongqing Further Education Consortium include harnessing the expertise of colleges in Wales to assist in the ambitious economic and social expansion of Chongqing by providing relevant training, tailored courses, and consultancy support.
“Wales and Chongqing have much to learn from one another and Wales’ learners, too, are set to benefit from the Consortium.”