23 February, 2006 - Minister Hanafin signs Qualifications Agreement with Chinese Government

• Ireland-China agreement on the recognition of higher education awards signed in Beijing
• Minister holds talks on wider education co-operation with China

The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D., today formally signed an international agreement between the Irish and Chinese governments for the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications.   The agreement was signed between the Minister and her Chinese counterpart, Mr Zhou Ji in Beijing.  It follows an initial commitment made by the two Ministers last year during the government trade mission to China, led by the Taoiseach.   

The agreement provides for the recognition of higher education awards from sub-degree (higher certificate) to doctorate levels.  It will ensure that students and graduates travelling between both countries for the pursuit of further study or employment will have their existing qualifications recognised.  China already has similar agreements with Britain, France, Germany, New Zealand and Australia. 

Speaking from Beijing today, Minister Hanafin said “I am delighted that we have now concluded this milestone agreement.  Given their growing importance in the global economy, our relationship with China is extremely important to us.  We are keen to foster closer education links with China as a means of deepening the longer term economic, cultural and political ties between both countries.  The agreement now concluded, following detailed work on both sides, provides a major boost in promoting the movement of students, academics and researchers between Ireland and China.”

Minister Hanafin and Minister Zhou Ji also held formal bilateral talks today during which they had a wide-ranging discussion on potential areas for wider future co-operation between both countries in the fields of education and research.  

Earlier in the day, Minister visited a second level school associated with the University - the Experimental School of Beijing Normal University, where she met with students and teachers. 

Minister Hanafin also visited the Beijing Normal University where she made a key-note address to an audience of senior academic staff.  This University enrols over 16,000 full time students, including 2,000 from overseas. She also met with the University President, Prof Zhong Binglin, and visited a leading research institute based on the campus, the ‘State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuro-Science and Learning’. 

The Minister is also visiting Shanghai (Friday 24th February) where she will witness the signing of four bilateral education agreements between Irish and Chinese colleges.  The signing of these agreements co-incides with the largest ever participation of Irish higher education institutions at an international Education Fair being held in Shanghai this coming weekend.  During her visit to Shanghai, the Minister will visit Tongji University and meet with senior members of the Shanghai Municipal Government.  

ENDS