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Lord announces educational commitment to China

NB Telegraph-Journal | Provincial News
Article published: May 30, 2006

Province trying to attract Chinese students, professors
By Simon Cheung
Telegraph-Journal

Premier Bernard Lord and the ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Canada Lu Shumin will announce an agreement today for more easily accessible student, teacher and professor exchanges between New Brunswick and China .

Although a number of initiatives have been established between China and various New Brunswick institutions in recent years, today's announcement marks the New Brunswick government's formal commitment to opening avenues of information and opportunities for education in the province for Chinese students.

Specific projects stemming from this formal commitment have yet to be confirmed, but both sides have now expressed the desire to further develop their relationship and explore collaborative possibilities.

The announcement of a memorandum of understanding between New Brunswick and the People's Republic of China will be set against the backdrop of existing agreements and projects. Earlier this month, Chinese businessman Francis Pang created a $100,000 scholarship fund for the University of New Brunswick , and the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics agreed to increase the number of cadets sent to the Moncton Flight College .

The formal announcement will be made this afternoon in Fredericton .

The memorandum of understanding is a formal agreement to facilitate a greater flow of information between the province's educational institutions and Chinese students interested in attending them. Also included will be the intent to discuss the possibility of mutual recognition of diplomas and degrees between the two governments.

There have not been any major problems between the two regarding accessibility to education in the region, but China has indicated its desire for it to be easier for their students to study in the province and N.B. has agreed to respond.

With the provincial government's commitment to provide interested Chinese students, teachers and professors with a list of provincial government-recognized post-secondary institutions - such as the University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University and the Maritime Forest Ranger School - New Brunswick hopes to increase the number of those coming into the region. As well, New Brunswick institutions will receive more information regarding those who intend to attend their facilities.

The agreement will answer a number of objectives in the province's developing China Action Plan, which is expected to be unveiled in the fall. The plan is expected to address a variety of international relationship concerns, including investment and immigration.