The ZISU-RRU Joint Institute is launched on Oct 13 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Zhejiang International Studies University (ZISU) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, unveiled the ZISU-RRU Joint Institute on Oct 13, in partnership with Canada's Royal Roads University (RRU).

RRU specializes in communication, business administration, and educational management, focusing on practical learning and real-world problem-solving. Its approach aligns with ZISU's emphasis on training internationally minded professionals with practical skills.

The joint institute is the fifth non-independent cooperative education institution established in partnership with a Canadian university in China and has been approved to offer three programs: undergraduate degrees in online and new media and international business, and a master's degree in educational leadership and management.

The institute will integrate courses and faculty from both universities, offering four-year undergraduate and two-year master's programs that can be completed entirely in China.

RRU President Philip Steenkamp said the partnership marked an important milestone and would combine RRU's strengths in applied learning, leadership, and problem-solving with ZISU's expertise in language education and intercultural understanding. He encouraged students to remain curious and broaden their horizons.

ZISU Party Secretary Zhang Huanzhou said the universities would prioritize smooth operations, strengthen industry-education integration, and expand exchanges between faculty and students.