RUG first in China
University of Groningen president Sibrand Poppema signs the contract for a RUG campus in the Chinese city of Yantai, making the RUG the first Dutch university to open a campus in the country. / Photo courtesy of the University of Groningen
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Where is Yantai?
Yantai is situated on the Chinese east coast, approximately 700 kilometres from the Chinese capital of Beijing.
The University Council approves
Early on in the negotiations, the University Council is given the power of consent over the plans regarding Yanta. The plan is accepted. To show their supporters why they voted in favour of the plans, SOG releases an informational video.
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A critical report
A report released by an advisory committee in the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) calls the campus in Yantai a ‘leap in the dark’. The committee sees the advantages of internationalisation for the university, but they cast doubt over many of the RUG’s assumptions.
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The campus
This is what the campus at Yantai will look like. / Photo courtesy of Tjalling Halbertsma.
Both the moment of decision and classes are postponed
Despite expectations to the contrary, the RUG is still unable to decide once and for all whether they will set up a sister campus in Yantai. This is because certain authorities in China still have to approve of the plans. In the meantime, the RUG puts out a promotional video to show staff and other people involved what the city and the university look like.
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‘Yantai is definitely on’
RUG president Sibrand Poppema, in spite of consdierable criticism, sees no reason not to move forward with developing the Yantai campus. He also admits to knowing that a start in 2016 was unlikely. / Photo by Jeroen van Kooten.
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FEB will not go to Yantai for the time being
The definitive list of academic programmes going to Yantai is published online. Notably absent is the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB). They feel the situation in China is ‘too uncertain’ and want to create more support within the faculty before signing on.
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Deal or no deal?
Fast forward to April 2016: the municipality of Yantai has promised to provide 40 million euros and an application to start the campus has been approved by the province. Now the RUG just has to wait for the Chinese government’s approval of their academic plan. Among other things, the plans calls for complete academic freedom and unhindered internet access at the new university. The RUG is also still awaiting the necessary legal amendments in the Netherlands.
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