The President of Athlone Institute of Technology has been awarded an honorary professorship from Beijing Union University (BUU ), one of China’s most modern universities.
Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin received the honour during a recent trip to Asia, during which he was also appointed to the university’s academic committee.
The president said that he was “deeply honoured” by the gesture and that he “looked forward to mutually beneficial exchanges between both institutions”.
In March 2010, AIT signed a memorandum of understanding with BUU that allows for faculty visits between both institutions, for collaboration in research and teaching in areas of mutual interest, and for BUU students to study in Athlone.
Beijing Union University was established in 1985 and currently has a student body of nearly 30,000, including 20,000 undergraduates. The university has 17 colleges in areas such as business, management, biochemical engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, software, tourism, and culture.
BUU offers some programmes in English, including a summer programme which introduces students to the Chinese language, Chinese culture, and how to do business in China. This would involve a fee waiver for AIT students.
