A world first dual Masters agreement between the University of Auckland and Beijing Dance Academy was signed this week in Beijing, China.

In front of 50 of the world’s leading dance educators, Professor Diane Brand, Dean of the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (NICAI) at the University of Auckland and President Gao Lei, of the Beijing Dance Academy ratified a three-year dual Masters in Dance Education and Community Dance.

The signing was a culmination of five years of negotiations and partnerships led by Associate Professor Ralph Buck, Associate Professor Nicholas Rowe and Dr Rose Martin from the University of Auckland. Beijing Dance Academy is one of the world’s largest, oldest and most prestigious tertiary dance institutions and this agreement is the first time they have forged a postgraduate research degree partnership with anyone in the world.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Beijing Dance Academy, the signing ceremony was the conclusion of a three-day conference and performance festival. The University of Auckland Dance Studies programme was profiled as a world leader in community dance and dance pedagogy.

“We are very proud of this agreement. The Dance Studies staff have worked hard to accomplish this and we see it as a major international vote of confidence in the quality of our research and teaching,” said Associate Professor Ralph Buck.

Students enrolling in the dual Masters degree will complete a two-year Masters in Dance Education at the Beijing Dance Academy, and a one year Masters in Community Dance at the University of Auckland.

This agreement places the University of Auckland at the forefront of tertiary dance studies in Asia, consolidating its reputation for research and curriculum development in community dance. The Beijing Dance Academy profiled the partnership during their 60th anniversary celebrations, and noted the University of Auckland’s exceptional work to foster postgraduate research in community dance.

Following the signing of the agreement, applications for places, which are due in December this year, will begin. The first group of students from China will commence the Masters in Community Dance at the University of Auckland in July 2016.

Professor Diane Brand, who signed the agreement on behalf of the University of Auckland said, “this agreement is a highlight of our year and marks Dance Studies and NICAI’s commitment to internationalisation of our postgraduate degrees.”