- TUS deepens China engagement through a new joint institute venture with Foshan University.
- Announcement made during Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s State visit to Beijing, highlighting education and research cooperation.
- The institute aims to boost transnational education, academic mobility, and industry-relevant research.
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has deepened its long-standing engagement with China through a new collaborative venture with Foshan University, announced during an official State visit to Beijing led by An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin. The initiative underscores the growing importance of international academic partnerships in advancing education, innovation, and applied research between Ireland and China.
The new agreement takes the form of an expression of intent to cooperate in the establishment of a joint institute between TUS and Foshan University (FOSU). It represents a significant milestone in the strategic relationship between the two institutions and reflects a shared vision for expanding transnational education and research collaboration. The announcement was made in the context of high-level diplomatic engagements, including a meeting between Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties in trade, education, and knowledge exchange.
TUS has maintained an active presence in China since the launch of Ireland’s Asia Strategy in 2002 and currently holds more than 35 active partnership agreements across the country. According to Professor Raphaela Kane, Chief Academic Officer at TUS, the new venture with Foshan University builds on years of trust and collaboration and demonstrates TUS’s commitment to delivering high-quality, internationally relevant education through strong global partnerships.
The agreement was formally acknowledged during a Transnational Education Event organised by Education in Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in Beijing on January 6. The event, attended by the Taoiseach, brought together Irish and Chinese academic leaders to highlight the role of higher education in fostering deeper international cooperation. During the event, representatives from TUS and FOSU signed the expression of intent to move forward with plans for a joint institute.
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The TUS delegation was led by Professor Kane and included Mary Simpson, Director of Global Engagement and Partnerships, and Jack Meng, Director of Asia, who have been closely involved in developing and strengthening TUS’s engagement across the region. Foshan University was represented by senior leadership, including Chairman Luo Shaoming, President Professor Xu Xiangmin, Zhu Fanxi, Director of the International Office for Global Engagement, Li Ping, Director of the President’s Office, and Chen Dongchu, Director of Planning and Development.
TUS already has seven joint programmes approved by China’s Ministry of Education, spanning disciplines such as Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science, Graphic Design, Hotel Management, Civil Engineering, Business, and Accounting. Most recently, in September 2025, TUS and FOSU welcomed the first intake of 124 students to joint programmes in Mechanical Engineering and Robotics and Automation at Foshan University. This followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions in May 2024.
Mary Simpson noted that the establishment of a joint institute would further strengthen academic mobility, curriculum collaboration, and applied research opportunities, while also offering students an international learning experience grounded in industry-relevant education. The new venture signals TUS’s continued focus on global engagement and its ambition to play a meaningful role in shaping future-ready education through international partnerships.
