02 Jul 07

Oxford, Bristol and Manchester Universities have launched a £5m programme to ensure that British higher education is equipped to compete globally in Chinese studies as China rises in international importance. Last week's launch of the British Inter-University China Centre (BICC) brought together top specialists in Chinese studies from the UK and beyond to develop teaching and research, including historians, anthropologists, economists, philosophers and experts in politics and international relations. The Centre will seek to expand the teaching of Chinese language and wider Chinese studies across the UK, and will also support Chinese studies research and generate outreach activity to attract students.

Dr Frank Pieke, Director of Oxford's Institute for Chinese Studies and of BICC, said: 'China is of increasing importance and the UK has some of the best institutions in Europe for Chinese Studies. This new Centre will help British institutions to compete with the best in the world. The three universities will work to together to create the next generation of Chinese studies scholars, bringing together existing specialists from all over the UK but also providing new support and opportunities for students.'

Professor Robert Bickers, Co-Director of BICC and Associate Director of the Centre for East Asian Studies at the University of Bristol, said: 'Understanding China today requires an understanding of its past, its religions, philosophy and cultures. The Centre's scholars and students will lead new work in these fields, and will also deepen understanding of the 250-year history of British relations with China.'

Professor William A Callahan, Research Director of Manchester's Centre for Chinese Studies and Co-Director of BICC, said: 'China's fantastic economic growth and rapidly increasing political influence are changing the way the world works. BICC's network of experts will be able to tell the media, business and the government what this means for Britain. BICC will be a key resource that very few other countries have.'

An inaugural conference was held in London and Oxford from 27-29 June. It looked at China's role as the world's workshop and the future impact of China on international relations and the environment, as well looking at recent development in Chinese history and how to develop Chinese language teaching in the UK.

The new Centre is also developing a Virtual Learning and Research Collaboration Environment, which will provide opportunities for students and scholars to network and share ideas both online and in person.