Media Release | Feb. 12, 1997
China programs garner award for UBC Faculty of Commerce and Business
Administration
The Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration's success in
building educational ties between Chinese universities, academics,
business and government officials and the Vancouver academic and
business communities has won recognition from the Association of
Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).
The faculty's long relationship with China through its China programs
has garnered the AUCC Award for Excellence in Internationalization
in the International Partnerships category. The award will be presented
in Ottawa March 5.
The award, sponsored by Scotiabank, recognizes the faculty's efforts
in "integrating an international dimension into the teaching/learning,
research and service functions of a university."
"Business is becoming more global every day," says Peter Godsoe,
Scotiabank chair and CEO. "By preparing our future leaders for the
challenges and opportunities of the world marketplace, these leading
Canadian educators are helping propel Canada to the forefront in
the race for global competitiveness."
Assistant Dean Grace Wong, who oversees the faculty's international
programs, says the faculty's early ventures into China allowed it
to build on an extensive history of activities and experiences.
"Since 1980, we have been developing ties and sharing our expertise
with Chinese academics, as well as business and government officials.
The way we have structured the programs, with extensive involvement
of Canadian businesses and government organizations, has helped
build ties and understanding that extend beyond the academic realm,"
she says.
Wong cites three aspects of the faculty's China programs as being
particularly innovative.
First, the programs were launched before the importance of establishing
relationships with China was widely recognized in Canada.
Second, the faculty developed and offers executive programs at
UBC in Mandarin including general business, international business,
real estate, finance and banking, and public administration. These
programs are offered with Mandarin translation and interpretation
often provided by faculty graduate students who are not only fluent
in Mandarin and English, but are also specialists in the fields
they are translating.
Finally, the faculty included the local business community in the
programs, linking the academic and practical sides through the involvement
of more than 62 Canadian companies and government organizations.
Many of these organizations conducted seminars or hosted site visits.
Michael Goldberg, dean of Commerce and Business Administration,
says the programs have delivered benefits to all participants.
"The programs have provided various opportunities for the faculty
to foster the creation of academic and business relationships at
all levels that are so critical to the success of internationalization,"
he says. "The presence of the 86 Chinese scholars and students in
Commerce classrooms, and the experience that 34 UBC faculty members
have gained during their research and teaching visits in China have
provided a comprehensive opportunity. Many of these relationships
have been sustained through the years."
The faculty has formed partnerships with academic and government
institutions, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), the
University of International Business and Economics and the Ministry
of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC).
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