It has been working on a memorandum of understanding with Tsinghua University Beijing with visiting professor Liu Qinglong.
Mayor Troy Pickard said Tsinghua was “the number one university in China alongside Peking University”.
“On Friday we had a lunch with Professor Liu and over the weekend he has been talking with us about developing a memorandum of understanding between Tsinghua and the City of Joondalup,” Mr Pickard said.
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READ NOW“They want to formalise the link between our City and the university, particularly creating an opportunity every two years to host a major event where we explore opportunities for exchange and growth in tourism, economic and education.
“It is really quite exciting for us, particularly with a university of its standing and Professor Lew is the Government’s go-to man for government and social policy. He has worked in 16 provinces in China; he’s built the curriculum for the Chinese government in those provinces.
“So he’s a very influential person.”
Mr Pickard said for Prof Liu to indicate he wanted to sign an MOU with the City in an “accelerated process was really quite unique, phenomenal”.
“I’m not aware that they have an MOU with any other local government authority in Australia,” he said.
“So this provides a wonderful opportunity for us to further explore, exchange economically in particular, with tourism, digital economy and education where we have some key strengths in the City. The professor has seen that and wants to partner with Joondalup which is really exciting.
“He has already drafted the first version of the MOU.
“The city’s administration will revise the document and ensure it is robust.
“And it will go to the council for formal adoptions and subsequent ceremony to start the journey with the university.”
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