On May 19, 2016, Professor Robert Huddleston, Vice Dean of Faculty ofArts,Design and Media of Birmingham City University (BCU) and Mr. Ji Cheng, representative of BCU in China, visited International College (IC) to interview arts students and discuss matters related to the cooperative Jewellery Design 2+2 Bachelor Programme between IC and BCU.

During the interview, Robert reviewed the works carefully. He praised outstanding works and pointed out possible improvements where necessary. As soon as the interview was over, Huang Guanhua, Vice President of Overseas Education College (OEC)/IC, Chen Jianru, secretary of the programme, and teachers of Arts subjects had a panel discussion with those distinguished guests. Robert stated that School of Jewellery of BCU enjoys an international repute, and it is being supportive to the cooperative programme of Arts and Jewellery with IC that next semester it will send teachers here for short-term teaching. Huang Guanhua explained about the education for students of current Arts programme and extended her appreciation for the support of BCU. Both parties confirmed that they would make efforts to build thecooperative programme into an outstanding one in China.

Ji Cheng talked about the recent development of Jewellery subject of BCU. Considering that there is a great amount of applicants for Jewellery Design but the vacancy is limited and a demand of cross-disciplinary study, BCU will open the subject of International Jewellery Marketing in September this year, which focuses on the integration of jewellery design with jewellery industry. It would be made available for IC’s students to apply.

School of Arts of BCU is a century-old faculty founded in 1850. All campuses of the school are right in the city center with convenient access. BCU’s world-renowned School of Jewellery is the largest one in Europe and ranks No. 1 in the United Kingdoms. School of Fashion and Textiles is among the largest of the same kind in England, boasting extensive international cooperation and industrial connections. School of Arts and Design has two outstanding research centers: CFAR and CDCI.