Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has strengthened its long-standing engagement with China through a new venture with Foshan University, announced during an official State visit to Beijing led by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.
The agreement, an expression of intent to co-operate in the establishment of a joint institute, marks a significant milestone in the growing strategic partnership between TUS and Foshan University (FOSU), and reflects the shared commitment of Ireland and China to strengthening collaboration in higher education, innovation and applied research.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit, where both leaders discussed strengthening trade and educational links between Ireland and China.
TUS has been active in China since the launch of the Government’s Asia Strategy in 2002 and currently maintains more than 35 active partnership agreements.
TUS participated in the Transnational Education Event organised by Education in Ireland and Enterprise Ireland with its partner FOSU on January 6th.
During the transnational education event in Beijing, attended by the Taoiseach, TUS and FOSU signed an expression of intent to cooperate in the establishment of a joint institute.
The TUS delegation was led by Professor Raphaela Kane, Chief Academic Officer (CAO), and included Mary Simpson, Director of Global Engagement and Partnerships, and Jack Meng, Director of Asia.
Foshan University was represented by Chairman Luo Shaoming; Professor Xu Xiangmin, President; Zhu Fanxi, Director of the International Office for Global Engagement; Li Ping, Director of the President’s Office; and Chen Dongchu, Director of Planning and Development.
There are seven programmes approved by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in China for joint programmes in the disciplines of Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science, Graphic Design, Hotel Management, Civil Engineering, Business and Accounting at Chinese partner universities.
TUS’s most recent joint programmes commenced in September 2025 at FOSU with the first intake of 124 students to programmes in Mechanical Engineering and Robotics and Automation. This followed on from the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on May 21st, 2024,
Foshan University was established in 1958 and is located in Foshan City, an economic zone in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), with a population of 9.6 million.
The Greater Bay Area is one of China’s most dynamic and economically significant regions, serving as a major hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing and international connectivity.
Foshan plays a critical role in advanced manufacturing, automation and applied technologies, and contributes significantly to national economic development.
Foshan University, with its strong focus on applied sciences and close engagement with industry and government, is well-positioned to support regional innovation and talent development.
There are more than one hundred students from China studying on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including PhD Level 10, at TUS, while there are 2,600 students studying modules from TUS programmes at our partner universities in China.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, commented:
“The proposed joint institute represents a natural and strategic next step in the partnership between TUS and Foshan University. It offers an opportunity to strengthen our long-term cooperation with our Chinese partner and enhance TUS’s global engagement. The development of programmes in Science and Engineering disciplines within this proposed joint institute directly supports TUS’s strategic goals of international engagement, applied research collaboration and the delivery of industry-aligned education.”
Professor Raphaela Kane, CAO, added:
“The Taoiseach’s visit to China highlights the value of international collaboration in programme delivery. This partnership reflects the mutual benefit for both institutions, building on TUS’s long-standing collaborations in China and across our wider global network in education, research and innovation.”
Donnacha McNamara, Vice President Internationalisation & Alumni, added:
“Since the signing of our Memorandum of Understanding during my first visit to Foshan in May 2024, I am pleased to see how the work and commitment of Mary Simpson and our TUS Global Partnership Team, especially with our China-based colleagues, Jack Meng and Riley Yu, has been developed into this proposal for a joint institute with FOSU. Foshan is an excellent study abroad destination for TUS students to complete summer programmes and academic study, further develop their understanding of Chinese culture and build intercultural competence.”
Vice President McNamara also commended the role of Team Ireland in China:
“I am impressed by the commitment of Education in Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in building the Irish education brand in China, and for the events this week in Beijing under the guidance of H.E. Dr Nicholas O’Brien, Irish Ambassador to China.”
