New opportunity for students to study in China

Griffith Pro Vice Chancellor (International) Prof Sarah Todd at the MoU signing
Griffith Pro Vice Chancellor (International) Professor Sarah Todd at the MoU signing

Griffith University hassigned a Memorandum of Understanding withHuawei, opening the door to joint innovation projects and research opportunities with Queensland students and academics.

At an event hosted by Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, Huawei and Griffith University signed the MoU with a vision to conduct collaborative R&D projects and to offer undergraduate students the opportunity to travel to China as part of Huawei’s annual China Exchange program.

“Griffith University and Huawei are closely aligned in our desire to pursue R&D projects across a range of information and communications technologies,” said Huawei Australia Chairman John Lord.

“This is Huawei’s first partnership with a Queensland university, and is a great partnership to formalise as we actively build our business across the state,”

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the partnership was the result of the strong sister city relationship between Brisbane and Shenzhen that continued to deliver concrete benefits to Brisbane.

“New world cities offer students quality education providers with international partnerships, standards and opportunities, and Brisbane and Shenzhen are no different,” Cr Quirk said.

“As our sister city connection grows stronger, I look forward to seeing our cities prosper through lifelong relationships.”

Griffith Pro Vice Chancellor (International) Professor Sarah Todd said, “Griffith University is committed to ensuring students have the opportunity to include an overseas experience during their study program. Last year over 400 students travelled to Asia and many were looking for internships or similar work integrated learning experiences. The agreement with Huawei will enable us to provide more targeted options for students studying in IT or engineering programs, while also furthering our relationship with an important sister city.”

The MoU covers a range of mutual interests between Huawei and Griffith, including joint publications in academic journals and presentations to industry conferences; joint applications for research grants and research centre funding; opportunities for Griffith students to participate in Huawei’s China Exchange program; and allowing Huawei to provide an advisory role on relevant industry linked research programs.

The partnership with Griffith University marks Huawei’s fourth Australian University partnership, along with Macquarie University in NSW, RMIT in Victoria, and the University of Melbourne’s Institute for a Broadband Enabled Society.