Liverpool Hope University has entered into a transnational education (TNE) programme with De La Salle University, Manila, which will see them develop Dual Masters programmes in Data Science, Robotics Engineering, Computer Science, Sports Exercise and Nutrition, Ecology and Environmental Management, Climate Change and Business.
The Dual Masters programmes, which will allow students to study at both institutions and benefit from joint research, will start running from January 2018.
Liverpool Hope University is one of ten UK universities selected to take part in the transnational education (TNE) programme with the Philippines, funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the British Council.
The seed funding aims to assist Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines and the UK to develop and implement niche programmes, support research collaboration and build on internationalisation as part of their goals and mission.
Delegates from De La Salle University visited Liverpool Hope University’s new £14.47 million Health and Science development, which features specialist laboratory spaces dedicated to nutrition, genomics, cell biology and psychology, biomechanics labs and robotics and engineering labs.
The delegation included Dr Laurene Chua-Garcia (Vice President for External Relations and Internationalisation) and Dr Edgar Vallar, Associate Professor (Physics and Environmental Management).
De La Salle University was established in Manila in 1911 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The University is a hub for higher education training and is renowned for its academic excellence, prolific and relevant research, and involvement in community service.
At Liverpool Hope, the programme will be led by Professor Atulya Nagar, Dean of Science, and Visiting Professor Raouf Naguib, who has had a professional relationship with De La Salle University for a number of years. Professor Ian Vandewalle will also lead on the development of Postgraduate Business programmes.
Professor Nagar said: “The transnational education (TNE) programme involved a very competitive application process and we are delighted to have been selected to work with De La Salle University. As well as opening up exciting new avenues of joint research with the Philippines, it allows us to offer unique study experiences to those students who apply for one of the new Dual MSc courses. De La Salle University shares our mission to share research and skills across continents that make a positive impact on society.”
Dr Laurene Chua-Garcia, Vice President for External Relations and Internationalisation at De La Salle University, said: “We are looking forward to sending our students and researchers to Liverpool Hope. It is in a great location, the facilities are first class, and it is a superb place to study and relax. We see the value of Liverpool as a city, and I think that our students and researchers will appreciate its strong sense of place. Going forward, our relationship with Liverpool Hope is about giving students a high quality experience and carrying out class A, high quality, research.”