Peking University, Apr. 17, 2013: Aiming to enhance international cooperation in science and engineering, Peking University and Durham University signed a MOU to establish a dual-degree undergraduate program in chemistry on April 15.

Li Yansong, vice president of PKU, welcomed the Durham University delegation and expressed his hope that the program will facilitate further communication in science and engineering between the two universities.

"PKU and Durham University are facing a common problem in the process of internationalization – the uneven distribution of international students," said Li. More than 90% of the international students at PKU are studying in the social sciences or humanities disciplines.

England-based Durham University is renowned for its physics and chemistry departments, world-class labs, and specialized facilities. The cooperation with Durham University is expected to attract more foreign students to PKU’s natural science programs and balance the spread of international students across a variety of subjects at PKU.

Professor Andrew Deeks, pro-vice-chancellor (science) of Durham University, showed his expectation of the chemistry program. "Durham University is faced with a similar problem as  PKU," he said. "Chinese students are the highest represented group in our international student body, concentrated mainly in the Business School and the Law School. We are looking forward to more collaboration in other fields."

Andrew Deeks (L) and Li Yansong sign the MOU

The program allows students to study chemistry at PKU for the first two years of their undergraduate studies and at Durham University for the next two years. Upon graduating, they will receive two degrees from PKU and Durham University respectively. The program will be launched this September and is sponsored by Procter & Gamble.

Background Info:

Durham University is a public research university in Durham, England. As the third-oldest university in England, it was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837. It is a collegiate university, with its main functions divided between the academic departments of the university and 16 colleges. The university is currently ranked between third and seventh places by the latest league tables of the British universities.

Written by: Zhang Chao
Edited by: Xu Xinyi, Alexandria Liu
Source: PKU Office of International Relations