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Wittenborg Reaches Major Milestone with Ministry-Approved China Partnership

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-reaches-major-milestone-ministry-approved-china-partnership.htm

Wittenborg Takes a Significant Step Forward in Transnational Education

Wittenborg has received official approval from the Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China for a Sino-foreign cooperative education programme with Yulin Normal University.  

The approval, granted in May 2026, marks the first Chinese Ministry of Education-approved transnational education (TNE) collaboration in Wittenborg's history and represents an important step in the institution's internationalisation strategy. 

The partnership is the result of more than a year of intensive preparation and collaboration between the two institutions. Initial discussions began in early 2025, culminating in a rigorous review process that required extensive academic, quality assurance and regulatory documentation before receiving official endorsement from the Chinese authorities.  

An important step in the development of the project was the visit of a delegation from Yulin Normal University to Wittenborg in Apeldoorn in April 2026. During the visit, representatives from both institutions explored opportunities for academic cooperation, reviewed programme structures and strengthened institutional ties, reaffirming a shared commitment to delivering high-quality international education.  

The programme will focus on Artificial Intelligence and will be delivered through a jointly developed four-year bachelor's pathway.  

Students will enrol at Yulin Normal University, with Wittenborg responsible for delivering approximately 25% of the curriculum, including modules related to Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security.  

Students who successfully complete these modules will receive Wittenborg certificates recognising their achievements, while those who choose to continue their studies at Wittenborg will have the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration in Artificial Intelligence & Cyber Security in the Netherlands.  

The programme is expected to enrol around 120 students annually, with the first intake scheduled for 2027. It has been approved for multiple cohorts through 2031 under China's nationally regulated framework for Sino-foreign cooperative education.  

The partnership combines Yulin Normal University's strong regional reputation and academic standing with Wittenborg's internationally recognised applied learning approach. By integrating technology, business and intercultural education, the programme aims to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in one of the world's fastest-growing sectors.  

For Wittenborg, the programme represents more than a new academic offering. It forms part of the institution's broader strategy to expand sustainable transnational education activities and create new opportunities for international student mobility.  

China's Ministry of Education maintains one of the world's most rigorous systems for foreign higher education collaborations. Receiving endorsement demonstrates that the programme meets stringent standards in academic quality, governance, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.  

"This approval is a landmark achievement for Wittenborg," said Wittenborg President, Peter Birdsall. "It reflects the trust placed in our academic quality, our long-standing engagement with China, and our commitment to building meaningful international partnerships. We believe this programme will create valuable opportunities for students in both countries while further strengthening educational cooperation between China and the Netherlands."  

The initiative builds on Wittenborg's extensive experience working with Chinese educational institutions and students. For more than 20 years, Wittenborg has welcomed Chinese students to its campuses and developed strong relationships across the Chinese higher education sector.  

The partnership with Yulin Normal University marks a new phase in that relationship, moving beyond student recruitment towards deeper academic integration, joint curriculum delivery, quality assurance cooperation, faculty collaboration and long-term institutional engagement.  

With preparations now under way for student recruitment, curriculum implementation, staff training and operational readiness, both institutions are focused on welcoming the first cohort in 2027.

WUP 24/08/2026 
by Erene Roux 
©WUAS Press 

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