Delegation to China - President's Report

Background

Pictured here with officials from China's AKD International are Jody Carr, NB minister of education, Eddy Campbell, president of UNB, and Robert McKinnon, vice-president of UNBSJ. The trio attended graduation ceremonies at three of China's Concord Colleges of Sino-Canada to celebrate the success of more than 570 graduates who received both Chinese and New Brunswick high school diplomas.The University of New Brunswick recently participated in an education-focused delegation to China alongside New Brunswick's minister of education and representatives from Atlantic Education International Inc.

New Brunswick and China have enjoyed a 15-year relationship through which students from both jurisdictions have taken part in exchanges. This partnership, overseen by Atlantic Education International and its Chinese counterpart AKD International, also focuses on providing several schools in China with New Brunswick curriculum, training opportunities for New Brunswick teachers, quality assurance practices, assessment tools, and global learning.

Atlantic Education International manages the international education programs for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

As part of this ongoing partnership, Chinese students studying in New Brunswick are given a tour of the province's universities with the hope that they and other classmates from China will pursue post-secondary education in the province. In addition, at least 365 New Brunswick students have travelled to China to participate in summer cross-cultural exchanges.

In 1997, New Brunswick was the first jurisdiction in the world to offer an international education partnership with China. The partnership includes four types of schools:

  • private international schools
  • private high schools for Chinese students (Concord Colleges)
  • private international/Chinese early learning centres
  • culturalization/partial curriculum in public primary and middle level Chinese schools.



Almost 3,000 students were enrolled for the 2011-12 school year.

Purpose of the mission

The mission's purpose was to expand and support a 15-year educational and business partnership that benefits New Brunswick students, families and communities.
Members of the delegation included the Hon. Jody Carr, New Brunswick minister of education; Eric Smith, manager of Atlantic Education International Inc.; Eddy Campbell, president and vice-chancellor of the University of New Brunswick; and Robert McKinnon, vice-president of the University of New Brunswick – Saint John. 

Value of the mission to UNB

The University of New Brunswick’s interest in New Brunswick’s ongoing educational partnership with China in multi-faceted.

Students visiting New Brunswick from China are exposed to post-secondary options in the province. Strengthening UNB's ties to this partnership, to Chinese officials, and to Chinese students could have potentially positive recruitment outcomes.

In addition, this partnership provides a valuable platform for UNB education students who wish to study and practice abroad. In fact, while on this mission, UNB signed a memorandum of understanding with Concord Colleges that will provide our education students with yet another option to consider when choosing a location for their practicums.

Finally, missions such as these represent vital opportunities to strengthen UNB's existing relationships within China, as well as establish new ones. These relationships allow for more comprehensive exchanges of ideas, resources, and study/work opportunities. They also encourage an ongoing dialogue between UNB and China on matters relating to innovation, entrepreneurship, research and development, and post-secondary education.

Mission itinerary

During its stay in China, the New Brunswick delegation attended graduation ceremonies at three of China’s Concord Colleges of Sino-Canada to celebrate the success of more than 570 graduates who received both Chinese and New Brunswick high school diplomas. 



The delegation visited several sites of new or proposed AKD International educational initiatives. It also assisted in the official opening of a new school and signed agreements with two additional schools opening in 2013.

The delegation also met with Francis Pang, board chairman of AKD International, to sign a memorandum of understanding on exchanges related to teacher training.

Saturday, July 7 (Beijing)

  • Welcome dinner and debriefing at HK Jockey Club

Sunday, July 8 (Beijing)

  • AKD business meeting and updates
  • Attend three Concord College of Sino-Canada graduation ceremonies at the Great Hall of the People
  • Attend graduation banquet

Monday, July 9 (Harbin)

  • Attend Harbin Concord College of Sino-Canada signing and ground-breaking ceremony
  • Attend celebration luncheon hosted by Harbin government officials

Tuesday, July 10 (Hefei)

  • Attend Canadian International School of Hefei signing and ground-breaking ceremony
  • Attend celebration luncheon hosted by Hefei government officials

Wednesday, July 11 (Changsha)

  • Visit Changsha Concord College of Sino-Canada and Canadian International Kindergarten
  • Attend luncheon with Changsha Concord College administrators

Thursday, July 12 (Guiyang)

  • Attend Guiyang Concord College of Sino-Canada key turning ceremony
  • Welcome dinner hosted by Shenzhen Concord College of Sino-Canada administrators and ISNS administrators

Friday, July 13 (Shenzhen)

  • Visit Shenzhen Concord College of Sino-Canada and ISNS
  • Travel to Hong Kong

Saturday, July 14 (Hong Kong)

  • Breakfast with Michael Wu


UNB President's mission expenses

  • Flight: $6,796.59
  • Accommodations: $370.00
  • Taxi, internet, meals: $651.20

Total: $7,817.79