A joint China-Tauranga research centre is a step closer after a meeting between Yantai University officials and Tauranga education leaders.
A delegation from Yantai University toured Tauranga yesterday and met Mayor Stuart Crosby and staff from Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and University of Waikato.
In April, a statement of intent was signed in China during a visit from a high-powered business and education delegation from Tauranga including Mr Crosby, Professor Chris Battershill, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic chief executive Alan Hampton, Education Tauranga chairman Graeme Lind and others from the education sector.
The group developed a soon-to-be-implemented exchange programme for students and staff at Tauranga's tertiary institutes to spend time in Yantai studying and teaching, and vice versa.
A joint research centre will be established, allowing experts from both countries to draw on each other's strengths.