Exploring growing potential for strategic education partnerships with China
Unitec has recently been strengthening its relationships with two tertiary institutions from the eastern province of Shandong.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Shandong Polytechnic College, which will enable pathways for their graduating students to join our Bachelor and Postgraduate programmes in the School of Applied Business.
“We are already exploring a potential articulation agreement with them, which would allow their diploma students to continue their studies at Unitec,” says Partnerships Manager, Jialu Ding.
Unitec also warmly welcomed a delegation from one of our closest international partners, Shandong Jianzhu University, on to Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae. Following pōwhiri, discussions were held which explored possible collaborations with our School of Architecture.
“This visit was acknowledging the 20-year partnership we have with Shandong Jianzhu University and exploring new opportunities,” Jialu adds.
These partnerships provide exciting opportunities for both MIT and Unitec as we prepare to become a single entity on 1 January 2026.
The recent engagement was Shandong Polytechnic College’s first official visit to Unitec. The relationship allowing the college to establish a degree-level pathway through our provider.
The visiting delegation consisted of: Mr Li Hongwen, Party secretary, Mr Qiu Hengyi, Dean of Aviation School, Mr Feng Chao, Dean of International Education School and Mr Nie Dachao, Teacher at International Education School.
The officials met with DCE – Learner Experience and Success, Dr Simon Nash, Head of School, Applied Business, Kerry Kirkland, Academic Programme Manager, Applied Business, Malama Saifoloi, Manager, International Marketing, Don Sirimanne, Director International and Special Projects – MIT, Luka Crosbie, and Partnerships Manager, Jialu Ding for a one-hour meeting.
Following the welcome and introductions from both sides, high-level discussions took place before the signing of the MoU by Dr Nash and Mr Hongwen.
“We share similar teaching philosophies. Our approaches are very aligned. We value applied learning, industry engagement and creating meaningful opportunities for students. This shared goal gives us a strong foundation for cooperation,” says Dr Nash.
Mr Hongwen responded: “Studying in New Zealand is a significant choice for many Chinese students, so we look forward to deepening this collaboration with your institution and expanding pathways for our students and possible teacher and research exchange.”
“We’re really excited to explore what we can work with you on. We want to know more about what your programmes look like and how we can support your students achieve degrees,” says Head of School, Applied Business, Kerry Kirkland.
Gifts were then exchanged to seal the partnership and friendship between both institutions.
The vocational education institution was founded in 1950 and has about 32,000 full-time students. It is located in Jining, Shandong Province, the birthplace of Confucius and Mencius.
They offer diploma-level programmes and have 17 teaching departments in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Energy and Materials Engineering, Information Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Finance and Accounting, Business, Aeronautics, Marine Science and Technology, Culture, Tourism and Arts, and International Education.
Shandong Polytechnic College has a strong international focus with partnerships with 85 overseas universities and research institutes. It is among the first diploma level vocational colleges in Shandong to establish joint programmes, currently running five joint programmes and 15 overseas education centres.
“We have a long-standing relationship with them spanning over two decades starting in the early 2000s and we greatly value the partnership and graduated many students through our joint programme,” says Manager International Market Development, Don Sirimanne.
Our joint programme in Architecture has been running since 2011. It is a five-year Bachelor of Architecture offered at SJU. As part of the programme, Unitec delivers design studio teaching through two visits a year, two weeks in September and two weeks in December.
Their delegation was led by Vice President, Prof Zhao and also consisted of Professor Zhang Peng, Director, Office of Graduate Studies, Mr Zhao Haitao, School Secretary of School of Business, Mr Hu Daqi, Dean of School of Continuing Education, and Mr Yan Shuo, Academic Vice Dean, the School of Foreign Languages.
Following pōwhiri, the delegation met with DCE-Academic Prof Martin Carroll, Director Schools and Performance Chris King, Head of School, Architecture Peter McPherson, Manager International Market Development Don Sirimanne, and Partnerships Manager Jialu Ding.
The two institutions reflected on their long-standing relationship of over twenty years and possible future collaboration. The delegation was also given an update on the MIT and Unitec integration.
Gifts were exchanged and then the delegation was hosted to lunch by the School of Architecture.
Shandong Jianzhu University is located in Jinan, Shandong, China, and is a prominent university specialising in architecture, civil engineering, and construction-related disciplines.
Established in 1956, SJU has about 27,000 students, and 2,200 academic staff.
They offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across engineering, management, arts, and sciences.
Known for its strong focus on practical education and industry collaboration, SJU plays a significant role in fostering skilled professionals in construction, urban planning, and environmental protection.
SJU comprises 21 Schools offering 64 undergraduate majors, 16 first-level discipline masters and 19 professional masters programmes.
Unitec also warmly welcomed a delegation from one of our closest international partners, Shandong Jianzhu University, on to Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae. Following pōwhiri, discussions were held which explored possible collaborations with our School of Architecture.
“This visit was acknowledging the 20-year partnership we have with Shandong Jianzhu University and exploring new opportunities,” Jialu adds.
These partnerships provide exciting opportunities for both MIT and Unitec as we prepare to become a single entity on 1 January 2026.
The recent engagement was Shandong Polytechnic College’s first official visit to Unitec. The relationship allowing the college to establish a degree-level pathway through our provider.
The visiting delegation consisted of: Mr Li Hongwen, Party secretary, Mr Qiu Hengyi, Dean of Aviation School, Mr Feng Chao, Dean of International Education School and Mr Nie Dachao, Teacher at International Education School.
The officials met with DCE – Learner Experience and Success, Dr Simon Nash, Head of School, Applied Business, Kerry Kirkland, Academic Programme Manager, Applied Business, Malama Saifoloi, Manager, International Marketing, Don Sirimanne, Director International and Special Projects – MIT, Luka Crosbie, and Partnerships Manager, Jialu Ding for a one-hour meeting.
Following the welcome and introductions from both sides, high-level discussions took place before the signing of the MoU by Dr Nash and Mr Hongwen.
“We share similar teaching philosophies. Our approaches are very aligned. We value applied learning, industry engagement and creating meaningful opportunities for students. This shared goal gives us a strong foundation for cooperation,” says Dr Nash.
Mr Hongwen responded: “Studying in New Zealand is a significant choice for many Chinese students, so we look forward to deepening this collaboration with your institution and expanding pathways for our students and possible teacher and research exchange.”
“We’re really excited to explore what we can work with you on. We want to know more about what your programmes look like and how we can support your students achieve degrees,” says Head of School, Applied Business, Kerry Kirkland.
Gifts were then exchanged to seal the partnership and friendship between both institutions.
The vocational education institution was founded in 1950 and has about 32,000 full-time students. It is located in Jining, Shandong Province, the birthplace of Confucius and Mencius.
They offer diploma-level programmes and have 17 teaching departments in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Energy and Materials Engineering, Information Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Finance and Accounting, Business, Aeronautics, Marine Science and Technology, Culture, Tourism and Arts, and International Education.
Shandong Polytechnic College has a strong international focus with partnerships with 85 overseas universities and research institutes. It is among the first diploma level vocational colleges in Shandong to establish joint programmes, currently running five joint programmes and 15 overseas education centres.
Dr Simon Nash, Deputy Chief Executive – Learner Experience and Success and Mr Li Hongwen, Party secretary.
Shandong Jianzhu University
The purpose of the visit by Shandong Jianzhu University (SJU) was to further advance and deepen the long-standing relationship between our two institutions and explore opportunities for collaboration.“We have a long-standing relationship with them spanning over two decades starting in the early 2000s and we greatly value the partnership and graduated many students through our joint programme,” says Manager International Market Development, Don Sirimanne.
Our joint programme in Architecture has been running since 2011. It is a five-year Bachelor of Architecture offered at SJU. As part of the programme, Unitec delivers design studio teaching through two visits a year, two weeks in September and two weeks in December.
Their delegation was led by Vice President, Prof Zhao and also consisted of Professor Zhang Peng, Director, Office of Graduate Studies, Mr Zhao Haitao, School Secretary of School of Business, Mr Hu Daqi, Dean of School of Continuing Education, and Mr Yan Shuo, Academic Vice Dean, the School of Foreign Languages.
Following pōwhiri, the delegation met with DCE-Academic Prof Martin Carroll, Director Schools and Performance Chris King, Head of School, Architecture Peter McPherson, Manager International Market Development Don Sirimanne, and Partnerships Manager Jialu Ding.
The two institutions reflected on their long-standing relationship of over twenty years and possible future collaboration. The delegation was also given an update on the MIT and Unitec integration.
Gifts were exchanged and then the delegation was hosted to lunch by the School of Architecture.
Shandong Jianzhu University is located in Jinan, Shandong, China, and is a prominent university specialising in architecture, civil engineering, and construction-related disciplines.
Established in 1956, SJU has about 27,000 students, and 2,200 academic staff.
They offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across engineering, management, arts, and sciences.
Known for its strong focus on practical education and industry collaboration, SJU plays a significant role in fostering skilled professionals in construction, urban planning, and environmental protection.
SJU comprises 21 Schools offering 64 undergraduate majors, 16 first-level discipline masters and 19 professional masters programmes.
