Reporter: Hu Lan; Photographer: Xu Saiying
Reviewer: He Ying
June 20, 2026 – Dr. Chen-en Ho from Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) visited Faculty of Foreign Languages (FFL), Ningbo University on June 17 for high-level negotiations on dual-degree programs for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Professor Lei Jun, Professor Xu Saiying, Dr. Song Wei and Ms. Hu Lan attended the negotiation representing FFL, Ningbo University. During the talks, Dr. Ho proposed an innovative "3+M" pathway for undergraduates, under which students would complete their first three years of study at Ningbo University before transferring to Queen’s for their fourth year. Upon fulfilling the graduation requirements of both institutions, participants would be awarded a bachelor’s degree from our university and a master’s degree from Queen’s – a structure designed to accelerate academic progression and enhance international exposure.
For postgraduate students, the two sides confirmed a "1+1+1" joint master’s model. The program will be accessible to students across 14 interdisciplinary majors, including Translation, Interpreting, and Arts. Under this arrangement, students will spend their first year at our university, the second year at Queen’s, and the final year back at our campus, ultimately receiving dual master’s degrees from both institutions.
The negotiations also addressed crucial operational details, including curriculum alignment, credit transfer mechanisms, and quality assurance standards. Both parties expressed strong satisfaction with the progress made.
Beyond the formal agreements, Dr. Ho’s visit opened up broad potential for future exchanges in faculty research, curriculum development, and broader internationalization initiatives. University officials hailed the talks as a major step forward in deepening bilateral academic ties and creating sustainable, mutually beneficial pathways for student development in an increasingly globalized higher education landscape.
(Dr. Chen-en Ho, third from left, with negotiators from FFL, Ningbo University)
