Professor Lars Johanning introduced the JOIN project, one of six projects funded by the British Council (China), at the launch event on 28th of May 2019 in Beijing. The projects are an initiative to strengthen BRI educational partnerships.

UK-China-Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Countries Education Partnership Initiative

UK-CHINA PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE SEED FUNDING TO GROW PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRITISH INSTITUTIONS IN CHINA, ASEAN AND AFRICAN COUNTRIES. • The British Council and China’s Ministry of Education have announced a new seed funding programme that will boost education partnerships and deepen collaboration between UK, China, ASEAN and African countries. • UK-China-Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Countries Education Partnership Initiative is the first-ever multi-lateral education collaboration programme designed in partnership with the British Council and Ministry of Education. • Twenty-eight institutions from 12 countries have benefited from the first round of funding. BEIJING, CHINA 28 May 2019 - The British Council, together with the Ministry of Education, China have announced the winning proposals from the first round of seed funding under a new partnership initiative designed to boost multilateral education partnerships. Over 28 universities from 12 countries will benefit from an initial £420,000 investment. Proposals covered studies in healthcare, policing education, food safety, manufacturing, renewable energy and global leadership transformation.

Carma Elliot, Director British Council, China said: "The UK has a reputation for quality education and building collaborative education partnerships globally. This programme will help further this reputation by connecting more UK institutions to international opportunities; especially those materialising in China and amongst Belt and Road Initiative countries.” The winning proposals were selected from over 100 global applications, in which institutions had to demonstrate the mutual benefit collaborations would bring in the areas of innovation and international collaboration growth, especially in areas of common interest.

Carma Elliot added: "Solving global challenges requires the brightest minds from across the world coming together, showing how education is not confined to national borders. The projects announced today reinforce our commitment to enhancing the UK's excellence in education and innovation at home and around the world."