The visit by 25 media delegates from the Beijing TV Network was for a week-long series of short training courses arranged by Professor Karen Randell, Head of the University’s Media Arts and Production department.

Bill Rammell Vice Chancellor of the University welcoming the group said: “Thank you for choosing Bedfordshire again as part of your training programme.

“We are a popular and strong destination for media studies training, because of the quality of our teaching and the close links of our academic staff with the media industry and its professionals.”

The Chinese delegation were treated to a series of lectures from leading industry professionals including Tony Gregory whose credits include a number of royal and state events as well as directing Big Brother; and Stephen Price, formerly Controller of ITV1 peak time and Head of Planning and Scheduling Daytime BBC One and Two.

Other media industry heavyweights on the schedule were Tony Humphreys, Managing Director of Talent TV Television; John Gough, Head of Programme for the Entertainment Master Class in Berlin and Cambridge and a board member for Boxatricks Entertainment Television; Colman Hutchinson who produced ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ and now Creative Director of Boxatricks; and Lawrie Hallett a former Radio Executive and independent regulator and competition authority for Ofcom, now a Senior Lecturer in Radio in the Journalism and Communication department at the University.

The University established its credentials for offering outstanding media training when it was chosen by the Beijing Municipal Government to a host a five-year training programme of 100 media managers for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The success of those students, many obtaining a Master’s in Media Management and with a good number now in senior roles in the media sector in Beijing, has led to Bedfordshire being a regular training destination for media groups from China.

“I am strong believer in the internationalisation of higher education, which can play an essential role in shaping positive international relations,” said the University’s Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell, welcoming the delegation. “Students from many countries living, studying and working together with home students is a force for good.”