Pictured: Centre Advisory Chair Pro Vice Chancellor International for Auckland University Professor Jenny Dixon discusses developments with New Zealand Centre Director Professor Liu Shusen of Peking University.

05/07/2014 - New Zealand Centre Chair Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Jenny Dixon of Auckland University visits Peking University for High Level Discussions with Peking University Vice President Professor Li Yansong.

Pro-Vice Chancellor International of Auckland University, Professor Jenny Dixon, and her counterpart at Peking University, Vice President Professor Li Yansong, followed up on an earlier proposal of co-establishing a 'Chair Professor' Programme of New Zealand Studies at Peking University, in order to promote New Zealand Studies in China as well as encouraging exchanges and cooperation between Peking University and New Zealand universities for the mutual benefits of the two countries. The counterparts also discussed details of the founding resources and logistics which will be required for the programme. Professor Liu Shusen, Director of the New Zealand Centre, said that "both sides are committed to further advancing the preparatory works of the chair programme, and the proposed Chair programme of New Zealand Studies will be the first of its kind amongst Chinese universities, or any Asian university for that matter".

Academics from any of the New Zealand Centre's partner institutions (including the University of Auckland, University of Otago, Waikato University, Canterbury University, and Victoria University) would be eligible to apply for the Chair of Studies, enjoying special access to Peking University's elite academic resources, as well as providing a unique opportunity to live on the iconic campus for the duration of the contract. As part of the schedule, Professor Dixon visited several long term accommodation venues including the recently completed 'Peking University Global Village' which is expected to be home away from home for any future Chair of New Zealand Studies as a result of the high level discussion.

It is intended that the programme will serve to bolster the undergraduate course on New Zealand Studies in Culture and History already operated by the Centre for several years (which is already a popular elective course amongst Peking University students and which had over 70 students in attendance in 2013) by virtue of having a director of studies permanently on campus and available to guide the course.