Melbourne-Peking Virtual Research Hub for Mathematics and Statistics

Collaborative research between the University of Melbourne and Peking University.

The Melbourne-Peking Virtual Research Hub for Mathematics and Statistics (MPRHMS) is a joint initiative of the University of Melbourne (UoM) and Peking University (PKU). It was established in 2016 following an agreement between the two universities.

Strong links exist between the University of Melbourne and Peking University in mathematical sciences. The aim of MPRHMS is to promote further collaborations between the two universities in the fields of teaching and research in mathematics and statistics, with a focus on research collaboration, researcher exchange and mobility, exchange of graduate students, joint supervision of research higher degree students, and joint activities such as workshops and grant applications.

The iconic tower of Peking University, surrounded by beautiful greenery

Our partner: Peking University

Originated as the Imperial University of Peking in 1898, Peking University (PKU) was China’s first national comprehensive university and the supreme education authority at the time. Peking University is a cradle of top-quality and creative students, a major source of cutting-edge science and knowledge innovation, and a key bridge for international exchange. PKU's School of Mathematical Sciences' expertise covers the entire range of pure and applied mathematics.

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The Peking-Melbourne Mathematics and Statistics Forum

The MPRHMS has held three fora since its inception – the most recent was in 2019, when Dr Daniel Murfet, Dr. Liuhua Peng, A/Prof Lawrence Reeves, Prof Aihua Xia, Dr Binzhou Xia, Dr Lizhong Chen and Dr Qingwei Liu from the University of Melbourne's School of Mathematics and Statistics participated in the forum and gave presentations at Peking University.

In 2015, the Vice President of PKU Professor Jie Wang led nine delegates to Melbourne to gave presentations and seminars about their work and discuss collaboration opportunities.

In 2014, Professor Muthupandian Ashokkumar (Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Science) and six academics from the School of Mathematics and Statistics of UoM attended the forum and gave presentations at PKU.

Academics associated with the MPRHMS posing together in front of a white-tiled building
Delegates at the Third Peking-Melbourne Mathematics and Statistics Forum.

Scholarship opportunities

Melbourne-Peking Visiting Scholarships

These scholarships allow Masters and PhD students in one institution to visit academics in the other – we will provide funds for flights and accommodation for a month of collaboration.

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Graduate Research Scholarships

The Melbourne Research Scholarship and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship are offered to high-achieving international and domestic students who are enrolling in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.

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China Scholarship Council-University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship

The China Scholarship Council-University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship is provided by the China Scholarship Council and the University of Melbourne and offered to students who are citizens of the People's Republic of China and enrolling in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the University of Melbourne.

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Meet our people

Directors

Professor Sanming Zhou is the Director of the Melbourne-Peking Virtual Research Hub for Mathematics and Statistics. Dr Lawrence Reeves is the Deputy Director.

Professor Zhifei Zhang is the Director of the Melbourne-Peking Virtual Research Hub for Mathematics and Statistics. Dr Wei Lin is the Deputy Director.

Advisory Committee

Scientific Committee

Professors and students have an afternoon tea at the Parkville Campus
An afternoon tea welcoming six Peking University students undertaking their PhD in Melbourne.

First published on 16 October 2025.


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