The thirty-two graduates were awarded dual degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at a prestigious ceremony in Shenyang. Some of the new graduates have already secured jobs in the pharmaceutical industry in China while others are set to undertake postgraduate study at Queen’s University Belfast and other world-leading institutions.

Established in 2014, the Joint College is a partnership between Queen’s University Belfast – a global top 200 university with a School of Pharmacy ranked in the world’s top 100 – and the China Medical University, one of the foremost medical universities in China. It provides students with an internationally recognised education which supports future careers in the growing pharmaceutical and healthcare sector in China.

During their four-year degree programmes, the students studied the design, evaluation, production and testing of medicines and had the opportunity to take part in a number of activities, including a Summer School in Belfast and an exchange programme as part of their final year.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students at Queen’s University Belfast, Professor David Jones said: “Queen’s University has a proud history of collaboration in China and this Joint College represents our most significant partnership with a leading Chinese University. We are proud of what the College has achieved since it was established in 2014 and are extremely proud of our new graduates who are now equipped with the education and skills needed to make their mark in the pharmaceutical industry and beyond.”

Vice President at China Medical University, Ping Wang said: “We have always placed tremendous importance on our cooperation with Queen's University Belfast and believe that the cooperation between our two universities has a great future.”

Dean of CQC, Jiang Yao said: “Integrating the highest quality education from the United Kingdom and China, CQC produces highly-skilled graduates who will make an outstanding contribution in the fields of pharmaceutical science and biotechnology for the international community.”

Donald Hu, Head of Education Partnerships, Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy, attended the graduation ceremony. He said: “The British Council is extremely proud to attend and witness the inaugural graduation ceremony of the first cohort of CQC students. Congratulations to each and every one of the graduates today on their remarkable achievement.  They have not just earned a degree, but one the most desirable qualifications in the world. A qualification that will open doors to many exciting opportunities, be it in China or elsewhere. I am confident that this partnership will continue producing high quality graduates who will play an important role in growing the UK-China relations.”

Pictured with the first cohort of graduates from the China Medical University - The Queen’s University of Belfast Joint College (CQC) are (L-R):  Professor Lei Sha, Vice-Dean of CQC (China Medical University); Jiang Yao,  Dean of CQC; Professor Ying Liu, Vice President of China Medical University; Professor David Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast; Professor Carmel Hughes, Head of the School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast; and Professor Gavin Andrews, Vice-Dean of CQC (Queen’s University Belfast)

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