Recently, the Ministry of Education has approved the establishment of the non-independent legal entity— Aulin College, an institution based on the cooperation between NEFU and the University of Auckland. Aulin College will enroll the first group of undergraduates in this September. It is the first institution of higher learning in Heilongjiang province featuring undergraduate programs, master programs and international master programs, which will be conducive to the cultivation of international talents with global vision, innovative spirit and practical capabilities as well as the development of Heilongjiang province.

Aulin College is directly affiliated with NEFU. The teaching location is on the campus of NEFU, while the University of Auckland provides relevant faculty. The College is comprised of three undergraduate programs including Computer Science and Technology, Biotechnology and Chemistry as well as the Master Program of Ecology and international master programs. The total enrollment is 1200 with 285 undergraduate students annually. The undergraduate programs adopt “4+0” and “3+2” cultivation modes. “4+0” mode requires the applicants to complete the four-year programs in NEFU so as to obtain graduation certificates and bachelor’s degrees (After the fulfillment of one cycle, the applicants will be granted the degree of bachelor of science by the University of Auckland upon the evaluation of both sides), whereas “3+2” mode demands that undergraduate students study in NEFU for three years and in the University of Auckland for two years. The graduates will earn college diplomas awarded by NEFU and the degree of master of science conferred by the University of Auckland. The annual enrollment number of master’s degree candidates is 20 (10 within the enrollment plan and 10 from independent recruitment). Master’s degree candidates within the enrollment plan who meet the requirements for graduation will obtain graduation certificates and the certificates of the degree of master awarded by NEFU and the certificates of the degree of master of science by the University of Auckland. The candidates for the degree of master of ecology from independent recruitment who are eligible to graduate will be granted the certificates of the master of science by the University of Auckland.

The University of Auckland, Newsland is one of the top 100 universities in the world. It ranks 85 in the QS World University Rankings 2019, enjoying prominent international prestige. In February 2016, NEFU and the University of Auckland initiated to set up Aulin College and attained the approval in April 2019 after accomplishing the steps from application, defense, comments and responses and so on. The establishment of Aulin College will introduce the foreign high-quality educational resources, broaden the channel of international exchange for teachers and students, promote the international development of faculty, students and teaching environment and enhance the educational level and competitiveness of NEFU, serving as a milestone to contribute to the Double First-class initiative.