Central China Normal University Wollongong Joint Institute

The Central China Normal University Wollongong Joint Institute (hereinafter referred to as "the Joint Institute") is a Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution jointly established by Central China Normal University (CCNU) and the University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia, and officially approved by the Ministry of Education of China. The Joint Institute offers master's degree programs in Computer Technology (Science), Communication Engineering, Software Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning and Big Data). These programs include a dual-degree track (awarding both CCNU and UOW degrees) and an Application-Assessment track (awarding a UOW degree).

By introducing UOW's premium international curriculum, quality assurance systems, and academic standards in the field of Information Technology, the Joint Institute leverages national-level research platforms, including the National Engineering Research Center for E-Learning and the National Engineering Research Center for Educational Big Data. We enhance the guiding and supporting role of scientific research in major construction, education and teaching, and talent cultivation, aiming to train application-oriented and innovative graduate students with a global perspective in key areas aligned with major national strategic needs.

The faculty of the Joint Institute primarily consists of UOW faculty members and highly qualified, internationally renowned full-time and adjunct faculty recruited globally according to talent hiring standards jointly established by CCNU and UOW. Currently, the Joint Institute has introduced over 30 specialized courses from UOW. Furthermore, by tapping into the rich resource pool of foreign experts, the Joint Institute regularly organizes academic lectures to provide students with access to cutting-edge international research. This initiative not only inspires students' enthusiasm for learning and research but also contributes to the overall development of the discipline.

Central China Normal University

Located in Wuhan, Central China Normal University (CCNU) is a key comprehensive normal university directly under the administration of the Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of China. It is also one of the universities on the list of the “211 National Education Priority Project” and “Double First-Class” Initiative.

The university comprises 31 teaching and research units and offers 74 undergraduate programs with nationwide enrollment. It features a comprehensive educational system that spans undergraduate to postgraduate programmes, doctoral to postdoctoral programmes and from full-time to part-time programmes. Currently, it accommodates over 19,900 full-time undergraduates, more than 25,000 master's students, and over 3,800 doctoral candidates, alongside more than 800 overseas students. Backed by a robust faculty of over 3,800 faculty and staff members, including more than 2,000 full-time teachers, of whom over 1,400 hold senior professional and technical titles. The university is home to three foreign academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and overseas academicians. Faculty members have been selected for national-level major talent programs over 140 times and provincial or municipal talent programs over 390 times. Additionally, three faculty members serve on the Academic Degree Committee of the State Council, and 93 have been appointed to the Teaching Steering Committee of the Ministry of Education. The university also boasts four “National Huang Danian-style Teacher Teams” and seven national-level teaching teams.

Since the 1980s, leveraging its disciplinary strengths and resource advantages, and in response to the needs of economic and social development, the university has cultivated a substantial number of professionals in fields such as computer science and technology, electronics and communication engineering, software engineering, Internet of Things engineering, educational technology, digital media technology, information management and information systems, e-commerce, and information resource management. Concurrently, it has conducted extensive scientific research in these areas, yielding a series of highly influential outcomes. Notably, the National Engineering Research Center for E-Learning is the only national-level engineering technology research center in China dedicated to e-learning research and talent development. Serving as a premier hub for technological research and development, product promotion, and industrial demonstration in China's e-learning sector, it represents top-tier capabilities in technological innovation and engineering practice nationwide. Furthermore, the National Engineering Research Center for Educational Big Data stands as China's first national engineering laboratory specifically focused on big data research and application innovation within the education sector.

In 2020, Central China Normal University established the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Education. As a vital component of this initiative, the Joint Institute aims to break down disciplinary barriers, foster interdisciplinary integration, and establish a national technological innovation center in the field of "AI + Education," thereby cultivating highly skilled, interdisciplinary, and internationally-oriented professionals.

University of Wollongong

The University of Wollongong (UOW), founded in 1951, is located in the picturesque and pleasant coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

As a globally leading young university and one of the top 20 modern universities worldwide, UOW has earned its place among the elite global institutions thanks to its outstanding research capabilities and teaching quality, consistently ranking within the top 2% of major world university rankings. Notably, it is ranked 167th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, 188th in the Academic Ranking of Top Universities (ARTU) 2020, and 238th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2020. Furthermore, it secured the 14th spot globally in the QS Top 50 Under 50 2021, the 26th in the THE Young University Rankings 2020, and the 37th in the THE Asia Pacific University Rankings 2019. It also ranks 220th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2019. Recognized as a five-star-plus university in the QS World University Rankings 2021, UOW leads New South Wales in postgraduate teaching according to the 2020 Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. This includes the No. 1 ranking in the state for capability development in Computer and Information Systems, the overall quality of Engineering graduates, and median starting salaries for graduates. Additionally, UOW has continually been recognized among the top 1% of global universities in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings. In 2020, it ranked within the top 200 worldwide, achieving the 62nd position globally for graduate employment rate.

The disciplines of Computer Science, Telecommunication Engineering, Software Engineering, and Machine Learning and Big Data fall under the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences at UOW. As a member of the Group of Eight Engineering Associate, the Faculty is renowned for its exceptional research output, innovative teaching models, and robust collaborations with local industries and government.