The Faculty of Business and Economics signed a new Memorandum of Understanding and an expanded Articulation Agreement with Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) on 28 May 2025.
The agreement and memorandum, signed by Professor Paul Kofman, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, and Professor Yao Lingzhen, SUFE Vice-President, build on three years of successful collaboration.
During the ceremony, Professors Kofman and Yao signed the two documents, presented and accepted customary gifts from their respective organisations, and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering international academic cooperation.
The delegation from SUFE, led by Professor Yao, included Chen Hongmei (Director, Cooperation and Development Office), Professor Dong Jing (Dean, International Cultural Exchange School), Professor Yang Youzhi (Professor, School of Economics), and Ms Zhu Anje (Deputy Director, Budget and Finance Office).
The Faculty of Business and Economics was represented by Professor Kofman, Professor Peter Gahan (Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning), Associate Professor Andrea Lu (Associate Dean, International), Wynand Bezuidenhout (Director, Strategy, Planning, and Resources), and Jodie Sertic (Global Engagement and Partnerships Officer). Professor Adrian Little (Pro Vice Chancellor, International) also met with the delegation during their visit.
"This is a major expansion of the original agreement," said Associate Professor Lu at the ceremony. "With this new articulation arrangement, we're proud to now welcome high-performing SUFE students into seven of our leading postgraduate programs across economics, econometrics, finance, actuarial science, and accounting.
"Our collaboration with SUFE was formally established in 2022, but the story really began much earlier—with a personal academic connection between our academic from the Department of Economics, Associate Professor Yong Song, who is here with us today, and Associate Professor Jin Xing from the Economics group at SUFE.
"It started, as many great partnerships do, with two colleagues who shared not just a research interest, but a desire to create something meaningful for their students. That connection led to the creation of a single pathway into our Master of Applied Econometrics—a focused but meaningful beginning."
Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Associate Professor Lu emphasised that this partnership brings together two world-class institutions. SUFE is China's top-ranked university specialising in business studies, and the University of Melbourne is Australia's number one university.
"Today's ceremony marks a new chapter. One that opens doors to further collaboration—in student exchange, short-term mobility, executive education, and more. These agreements reflect more than just formal commitments. They reflect a shared belief in the power of global education, in academic excellence, and in partnerships that prepare students to succeed across borders."
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Professors Yao Lingzhen and Paul Kofman -
Professors Yao Lingzhen and Paul Kofman -
Professors Yao Lingzhen and Paul Kofman -
From left: Professor Yao Lingzhen, Professor Paul Kofman, Associate Professor Andrea Lu -
From left: Zhu Anje, Professor Dong Jing, Professor Yang Youzhi, Professor Peter Gahan, Chen Hongmei, Wynand Bezuidenhout, Professor Yao Lingzhen, Professor Paul Kofman, Associate Professor Andrea Lu, Associate Professor Yong Song, Professor Rui Zhou, and Jodie Sertic -
Professors Yao Lingzhen and Paul Kofman -
Professors Yao Lingzhen and Paul Kofman
