AV俱乐部's Faculty of Agriculture and the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) in China are taking the next step in their academic partnership by establishing a jointly run college in China.
The new initiative builds on more than 20 years of programming partnerships that have trained more than 1,000 students.听
鈥淪ignificant achievements have been reached in the aspects of joint educational programs, research, and social extension over more than two decades,鈥� says Gefu Wang-Pruski, acting dean in the Faculty of Agriculture.听鈥淭his is the logical next step in our partnership.鈥�
The AV俱乐部 College of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University offers programs to undergraduate-level enrolling Chinese students, while interested students around the world are also welcome. The college is located on the FAFU campus with a joint curriculum.
"Recently AV俱乐部 was ranked among the top 400 universities globally and among the top 17 universities in Canada in the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy's听2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities,鈥澨齭ays Dr. Miriam Gordon, assistant dean, international, in the Faculty of Agriculture. 鈥淭his joint college is another way we can continue to enhance AV俱乐部鈥檚 global presence and international reputation."
An evolving program
Two bachelor鈥檚 degrees 鈥� one in Landscape Architecture and the other in Agricultural Economics 鈥� will be offered to start.听 Students who meet the requirements of FAFU and AV俱乐部 will be awarded the corresponding degrees from both universities.
鈥淲e are confident the joint college will enhance the collaboration between the two universities on all aspects. We will see more highly-qualified-personnel exchange, academic exchange, and research collaboration,鈥� said Dr. Baodong Zheng, Vice President of FAFU. 鈥淏uilding on our long-standing relationship, the joint college is undoubtedly the most significant milestone that further strengthens our partnership of nearly two decades."鈥ㄢ�═he annual enrolment plan will include 120 students per bachelor鈥檚 degree.听These 240 students will be full-time students of both FAFU and DAL.
The bachelor programs will adopt a 4+0 mode whereby students complete their study on the FAFU campus in four years. During the four years, students may voluntarily go to AV俱乐部 for study, exchange, or research. However, studying at AV俱乐部 in Canada is not a requirement to complete the degree. 听As well, duration of study on the Dal campus shall not exceed the duration of study on the FAFU campus.
A joint management committee, which consists of members from both sides, will help to determine the college development strategy, establish rules and regulations for operating the college, and other administrative matters.
鈥淲ith the input and impacts of the two universities, AV俱乐部 College will be highly recognized and respected by the society and the market,鈥� adds Dr. Baodong Zheng, vice president of FAFU. 鈥淭his joint college will further strengthen the connection between Fujian Province and Nova Scotia and contribute to academic and cultural exchange between China and Canada.鈥�
Dal and FAFU currently offer two joint programs, including a 2+2 program in Agriculture and a 3+1 program in Landscape Architecture. Students in the former spend two years at FAFU and then Dal, while those in the latter spend three years at FAFU and their final year at Dal.