Richmond, The American International University in London has finalised a strategic partnership with China Education Group Holdings Limited (CEG) to secure the long-term future of the University.

This new partnership with CEG will allow Richmond to expand its international vision, making the University’s UK and US liberal arts degrees even more accessible to students across the globe. Richmond’s students will also benefit by access to CEG’s international portfolio of universities, including global learning and knowledge sharing, internships and exchange programmes, and greater reach in international marketing and recruitment.

CEG is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange and is at the forefront of private higher education in China and Australia. CEG’s network includes nine universities and colleges in China, including the top ranked and largest private university in the country, as well as an accredited higher education institute in Australia. The World Bank is one of CEG’s cornerstone investors, and in 2019/20 CEG had approximately 180,000 enrolled students from nearly 100 countries. CEG received a Best Managed Company award from Deloitte in 2019.

As organisations which share a global outlook and offer students an outstanding international education, Richmond and CEG have much in common.

Richmond was established in 1972 by the late Sir Cyril Taylor with a purpose of fostering international study and experiences. The only university in the UK which awards both UK and US degrees, Richmond has always had an international outlook, with students from more than 60 countries currently enrolled across campuses in Richmond and Kensington.

The University will remain as a self-governing not-for-profit entity. Richmond’s Board of Trustees, further strengthened by higher education management expertise from new independent and internal members, will continue to lead and govern the University. The new members are all highly experienced leaders from across the higher education sector in the UK and internationally. Their expertise will be invaluable as the University works to implement new plans to strengthen and expand the University in the coming years.

Prof. Roger King, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln and the founding Chair of the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (now the Higher Education Academy), will lead the Board as its new Chair. Alison Allden OBE, previously the Chief Executive of the Higher Education Statistics Agency, has been appointed as Vice-Chair. Prof. Phil Deans has been appointed as President, with Ana Oliveira confirmed as Provost.

In the near-term, all students’ programmes and classes will continue in line with current COVID-19 planning. Moving forward, the University will be looking to enhance its programme offer and increase its student numbers, both UK and international, while maintaining the diverse, nurturing and personal culture for which Richmond is renowned.

Prof. Roger King, Chair of the Board of Richmond, The American International University in London said: “The University was established almost 50 years ago by the late Sir Cyril Taylor for the very purpose of attracting and graduating globally minded citizens, as captured in our motto, ‘Unity in Diversity’. This commitment has never changed, and we are very pleased to see the partnership with CEG that will continue the mission in building an open, vibrant, and internationally focused University that welcomes people from all parts of the globe.”

Prof. Phil Deans, President of Richmond, The American International University in London, said: “We are proud to announce this new partnership today. Throughout our discussions I have been consistently impressed by CEG’s unwavering commitment to providing students with opportunities to access quality higher education and we are confident that our shared vision will forge a new path for innovative international higher education. Richmond is a remarkable institution that has always been an innovator and at the forefront of internationalisation. I am delighted that this partnership has secured our future and we will continue to develop by providing our unique educational experience for many generations to come.”

Mr. Yu Guo, Co-Chairman of CEG said: “Richmond and CEG share a very common mission: to contribute to society through the pursuit of education. We also both keep our students’ interest at the heart of everything we do and are immensely proud of our highly dedicated faculty and staff. CEG is very pleased to be able to partner with Richmond to offer more students with an outstanding educational experience here in London, the world’s very best city for students.”

Mr. Xie Ketao, Co-Chairman of CEG said: “Richmond has successfully built a unique UK-US curriculum over the years, combining the very best of higher education of the world’s two leading systems. We are excited to form a partnership with such a respected institution and be able to build on that strength and support it to further widen its global reach and develop its leadership in internationally focused liberal arts education.”

-ENDS-

Media enquiries: Sarah Gullo, WA Communications, 07715 681 853, sarahgullo@wacomms.co.uk

Note to Editors:

About China Education Group Holdings Limited (Stock code: 839.HK)

China Education Group Holdings Limited is a leading organization in higher education, focusing on providing quality education through innovation. The Group’s network includes nine universities and colleges in China, including the top ranked and largest private university in the country, as well as an accredited higher education institute in Australia. The Group currently has approximately 180,000 enrolled students from nearly 100 countries. The World Bank is a cornerstone investor in the Group. The Group received the Best Managed Company award from Deloitte.

About Richmond, The American International University in London

Richmond, The American International University in London was established in 1972 and is a private, not-for-profit higher education institute that is based in London with campuses in Kensington and Richmond. Its curriculum is based on the US liberal arts approach, and Richmond is the first and the only university in the UK that awards both US and UK degrees.

New Board of Trustee Members

Biographies on Richmond’s new Board of Trustee Members can be found here.