Professor Michael Fang: ‘It has been an amazing 20 years’

Originally published on the University of Liverpool’s website as part of its 20 Stories series for XJTLU’s 20th anniversary.

Professor Michael Fang is a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool and was instrumental in establishing XJTLU.

My journey at the University of Liverpool

I joined the University of Liverpool in 1970 as a lecturer. Over the years, I gradually advanced through the ranks, being promoted from lecturer to professor, then to head of department, and finally being appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor in charge of the collaboration with China. After China opened up to the world in 1978, the University of Liverpool began collaborating with Xian Jiaotong University (XJTU).

Establishing Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

When the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Drummond Bone (2002 - 2008), made the decision to expand the international collaboration between China and the UK, it coincided with the time when the Chinese Government had decided to open its education market to the world. The Chinese Government encouraged Chinese universities to collaborate with foreign institutions to establish joint operations in China with the aim of introducing advanced teaching and research to China.

XJTU and the University of Liverpool signed an agreement to establish a joint university in Suzhou in Jiangsu Province in 2004 with support from Suzhou Municipality. Both universities decided that the joint University would provide undergraduate education in electronics, computer science, applied science and e-commerce. The provision would then be extended to cover engineering, life science, and management. Postgraduate and research would be introduced as soon as practical.

A preparation office for the establishment of XJTLU was set up in March 2005. Professor Jeremy Smith and I were then based in Suzhou to get the first building of the joint University ready. On 26 May 2006 a Chinese Ministry of Education (MoE) licence of operation was granted and in July 2006, the first cohort of 165 students was recruited.

My ambition for the partnership between the University of Liverpool and XJTU has always been to train individuals who are highly independent and innovative, and I believe that this has been achieved.

Celebrating 20 years of XJTLU

It has been an amazing 20 years: I could not have imagined that the University would have developed to its present status, a research university of 25,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. XJTLU has a very good reputation within and outside China. I very much look forward to its future.