A 10-member delegation from Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met) visited Sichuan International Studies University (SISU) from Nov. 5 to 8 to conduct a Collaborative Programme Enhancement, Approval and Review (CPEAR) of the two universities’ joint college.

The review pannel examined the college's academic programs, assessment methods, institutional responsibilities and student support services, marking a key step in the development of the partnership.

The delegation was chaired by Dr. Amanda Miller, a professor at Manchester Met’s Business School. It included representatives from the university’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, along with external academic reviewers from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Buckinghamshire New University.

SISU President Zhu Chaowei met with the delegation during the visit. Gou Chaoli, deputy secretary of SISU’s Party Committee, welcomed the reviewers at an opening ceremony.

During the four-day visit, the delegation toured the campus and teaching facilities, attended presentations on the joint program and held discussions with faculty and administrators. The review focused on curriculum design, assessment procedures, the division of responsibilities between the two universities and student support services.

In their feedback, the reviewers identified four areas requiring further work: faculty arrangements, course delivery plans, assessment arrangements and intended learning outcomes. They asked both universities to agree on and implement the necessary changes within a specified timeframe.

The panel also commended the college’s mechanisms for gathering industry feedback and its approach to student welfare and support.

The two universities will use the review findings to refine the college's curriculum and administrative arrangements as they continue developing their joint education programs.

The review panel presents its feedback at the meeting.