Ceremony Marks Approval for Preparation of Duke Kunshan University

KUNSHAN, China, Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke University and Wuhan University were joined by Jiangsu Province today in a ceremony marking approval for preparations for Duke Kunshan University, an important step in the establishment of a world-class university for students in China.

Duke Kunshan University, a joint venture university formed by partners Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, the city of Kunshan in Jiangsu Province, China, and Wuhan University in Wuhan, Hubei, will initially offer a range of graduate degrees and undergraduate semester programs for Chinese and international students.

In addition to academic programs, DKU will house several research centers, the first of which will be a Global Health Research Center to address health issues in China and the wider region. The Center will build a program closely tied to Chinese health needs in at least three areas: chronic disease; environmental health; and health policy and systems.

Commenting on today's announcement, Prof. Liu Jingnan, Duke Kunshan University's designated Chancellor, said: "Duke Kunshan University is a bold project to drive innovation in Chinese international education. It represents a real chance to explore new models of higher education in China and sets an example for other Sino-international cooperative schools."