Leading light in Chinese education visits University of Nottingham Ningbo China

China's Deputy Minister of Education visited The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) in another sign that the pioneering University has impressed the country's leaders at the highest levels. The Deputy Minister for Education, Du Yubo, said UNNC had set an example for other Sino-foreign universities to follow - and urged it to continue leading the way. UNNC has welcomed several important visitors this year, including Premier Wen Jiabao - the equivalent of the country's prime minister - in April. The University opened its doors in 2004 in eastern China's prosperous Zhejiang province, as the first Sino-foreign collaborative university with full approval of the authorities. All degree programmes are taught in English and all graduates are awarded British degrees from The University of Nottingham UK. All Chinese students have been employed or accepted for postgraduate studies at top international universities within six months of graduating, according to statistics filed with the government. The success of UNNC has paved the way for the establishment of other Sino-foreign universities in China, which has embarked on an ambitious programme to dramatically overhaul its education system.