Kent hosted a delegation from Xianda College of Economics and Humanities, part of Shanghai International Studies University, in China, in November 2025. The visit focused on developing partnerships in creative subjects, with both institutions sharing a reputation for bold and innovative engagement with the cultural and creative industries.
Areas for discussion included future international collaboration, as well as opportunities for Xianda College students to progress to Kent to undertake Master’s courses.
A Statement of Cooperation was signed to signal the intent to explore further opportunities that would benefit students and staff at both institutions.
During their visit, the Xianda College delegation toured both the Canterbury and Medway campuses, visiting the performance, film, and media studios, the architecture workshop, and the Docking Station, meeting Director of the Institute for Creative and Cultural Industries, David Sefton. They were welcomed to the University by Professor James Hopker as acting Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education.
The connection with Xianda College was established by Professor Paul Allain, Director of Research and Innovation for the School of Arts and Architecture, and Dr. Oscar Zhou, Director of Studies (Postgraduate Taught) for the School, during a visit to China in late 2024.
The media and arts sectors are fast-growing growing fields in China, with boundaries for creative practice continually being challenged. In this context, there is great potential for innovative collaborative work across genres and continents.
Chloe Street Tarbatt, Head of School, welcomed the formation of the partnership:
It is wonderful to see the strength of the School’s reputation lead to the creation of a partnership that will spark such opportunities for students and staff.
Puming Lu, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Xianda College, also welcomed the partnership:
We are confident in the prospects of future collaboration between our two institutions and look forward to fostering synergy and achieving mutual success across multiple areas, including academic exchange and research collaboration.
Further scope for collaboration is being explored, arising from Professor Allain’s visit to China in October 2025 during which he delivered workshops and guest lectures in Shanghai, Changchun, Zhejiang and Hangzhou.
During the most recent visit, Paul was accompanied by his Chinese PhD student Jingsheng Gu. Together, they led workshops in leading higher education institutions, focused on research through practice and physical theatre, in which Kent and Professor Allain have been pioneering. They also delivered workshops for children and the public.
For more information about the University’s partnerships overseas, please contact: internationalpartnerships@kent.ac.uk