Campus News
Chinese-university VPs learn the ropes at Queen’s
Thursday October 25, 2007
Vice-presidents from 22 Chinese universities will visit Queen’s University next week to learn the inner workings of Canadian university operations.
The participants hope to gain an understanding of the main trends and strategies for reform and development of modern universities, and the generation, management and deployment of university funds.
“Their visit is an excellent opportunity for us to raise the profile of Queen's in China,” says Associate Vice-Principal John Dixon (Academic/International). “This same goal led Queen’s to set up the China-Queen's Liaison Office in Shanghai, from which our liaison officer, Dr. Zhiyao Zhang, is working to establish links with selected Chinese universities to set up academic and exchange opportunities for students and identify opportunities for joint research.”
Queen’s senior administration will hold sessions for the delegation on several topics including the university and its history, financial management, funding issues, risk management, information technology innovation and collaboration, property and facilities management, academic quality assurance and degree-level expectations, research activities, fundraising and employee relations.
The delegation's visit is under the auspices of the State Administration for Foreign Expert Affairs (SAFEA) of the People's Republic of China. Queen’s is seeking designation as a preferred destination for SAFEA training delegations. This would enable the university to host delegations from universities, government and enterprises for short-term training programs in fields such as policy studies, urban planning, resources (mining and geology), education, and biology and environmental science.
“These visits will raise the university’s profile and hopefully lead to new opportunities for research and training collaborations and to recruitment of Chinese students to Queen’s,” says Dr. Dixon.
Sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Education, the group will be visiting several Canadian universities on their trip, including the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto.
In addition, the official opening of the China-Queen’s Liaison Office in Shanghai takes place Monday, Nov. 5. Attendees from Queen’s include Dr. Dixon, Dr. Zhang, Law Dean Bill Flanagan, Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Arts & Science, Patrick O’Neill, Executive Director, International Study Centre David Bevan, Director, Queen’s School of English Elaine Armstrong and International Recruitment Officer Matthew Reesor of the Office of the University registrar.
For more information contact Communications Assistants Molly Kehoe, 613 533-2877, molly.kehoe@queensu.ca or Alissa Clark, 613 533-6000, ext. 77513, alissa.deley@queensu.ca .
