Cardiff Business School strengthens ties in China

Professor Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues, Head of the Logistics and Operations Management Section, and Dr Jane Haider, Reader in Transport, Logistics and Operations Management and Deputy Head of Postgraduate Learning and Teaching, recently completed a highly productive visit to Chengdu, China.

The visit was aimed at deepening partnerships and understanding student priorities in the region. The three-day trip included meetings with leading education agents and top universities, providing valuable insights into market trends and opportunities for collaboration.

On November 25, our colleagues met with XDF and UKEC, two influential education consultancies. Both highlighted that QS ranking remains the most decisive factor for Chinese students when choosing a UK university. Internship opportunities embedded in programmes were also seen as a major attraction, alongside pre-master pathways that allow students to study in China and the UK before starting postgraduate courses.

UKEC invited Professor Sanchez Rodrigues and Dr Haider to join a live-streamed Q&A session, which proved to be a standout success. The event attracted 810 viewers and 573 likes in just 30 minutes, with students and parents valuing direct interaction with Cardiff academics. The recording remains available on UKEC’s platform, offering ongoing visibility for Cardiff Business School programmes.

On 26 November, our academic staff visited South West University of Finance & Economics (SWUFE), touring its AI Innovation Centre and meeting the Dean of the SWUFE and University of Delaware Institute of Data Science. Discussions focused on strengthening the existing partnership and exploring short specialist summer courses, which could be highly profitable for Cardiff. The day concluded with a joint seminar on Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Maritime Logistics Decarbonisation, attended by a large group of undergraduates.

The following day at Chengdu University of Technology (CUT), Professor Sanchez Rodrigues and Dr Haider delivered a seminar to undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students, covering Cardiff’s programmes and research areas. Conversations with CUT leadership explored joint postgraduate and PhD programmes, summer schools, and collaborative research opportunities, including a potential Chengdu-based MSc in Sustainable Supply Chain Management.

The visit clarified factors behind the recent decline in Chinese student applications and identified strategies to rebuild Cardiff’s presence in this important market. Opportunities include enhanced promotional activities, short-term specialist courses, and deeper institutional partnerships.

Overall, the trip showcased Cardiff Business School’s commitment to global engagement and innovation, paving the way for stronger academic and cultural ties with China.