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A new high-speed network link between the United Kingdom and China is proving a key asset in a unique research and graduate education programme.

The 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Manchester and the prestigious Tsinghua 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ in Beijing will use the network, launched last month, to strengthen collaboration in science, engineering, biosciences, economics and management.

Richard Balment, dean for international and graduate education at Manchester, said the programme would give British students "survival skills" for work in China. It would build essential ties between academe and industry in both countries and facilitate exchange of staff and students.

The universities are using the faster link for video-conferencing and will develop joint courses using this technology. The link connecting the UK's JANET and its Chinese counterpart, CERNET, embraces more than 450 Chinese universities.