BEIJING – The ties between Canada and China were strengthened last week in the field of education with the official launch of a new business-law program from Ivey Asia and China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL). The first intake of the program starts on Aug. 9, 2014. The partnership between the two schools was signed at a ceremony with Canada’s Governor General David Johnston and other dignitaries at the Westin Beijing Chaoyang Hotel.
The new Ivey-CUPL Executive MBA arising from the partnership will be the first of its kind in China and provide Chinese executives with real-world, case-based learning of leadership and legal practices in international business.
“The new Ivey-CUPL program will help us to showcase the high-quality programs Western has to offer as well as provide us with the opportunity to learn more about our education partners in China,” said Amit Chakma, Western president. “It brings together two of the top schools in their fields and provides an education that is second to none.”
He stressed Western already has strong research and education partnerships in China. In addition to Ivey Asia, Western is the first international university to set up a permanent tech-transfer centre in China, WORLDiscoveries Asia, for international science collaboration and technology commercialization.
“This is a natural extension of our long history of engagement in China,” echoed Jan De Silva, Ivey Asia dean. “Chinese businesses are seeking the knowledge to transform from domestic giants into strong international players. Ivey’s case-method experience is increasingly recognized as a practical, real-world approach to building the international capabilities that are in great demand for Chinese executives today.”
Ivey Business School was the first international business school to establish a campus in greater China in 1998 and has since been offering both executive MBA and executive development programs in China.
“Together, Ivey and CUPL are providing a new source of talent to meet the needs of multinational organizations in China as well as Chinese enterprises going global,” said Sun Xuan Zhong, CUPL Business School dean. “The program combines Ivey’s business education strengths with CUPL’s legal management expertise to provide a new sought after talent development environment.”
NEWS AND NOTES
Andrew Shon, a first-year Finance student, was among five Canadian students selected from a national competition to travel to Bali, Indonesia, to represent Canada at the 2013 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) CEO Summit. Recruited by the charitable organization Global Vision for their flagship program Junior Team Canada (JTC), Shon represented Ontario and Canada at APEC in support of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada to promote Canada’s brand and investment in Canada.
In addition to participating in the summit, the student team participated in APEC’s Voices of the Future program where they met with youth leaders from the other APEC economies. Together, they discussed economics, sustainability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. These young professionals then created a Youth Declaration that was presented to ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) representatives as well as to the H.E Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the president of the Republic of Indonesia. At the end of the mission, Shon met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister Ed Fast about his experiences.
- The Rotman Institute of Philosophy, in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, has established five new faculty fellowships through a donation from the Rotman Family Foundation, which was matched by Western. The $210,000 over four years will support the following fellowships: Rotman Institute of Philosophy Faculty Fellowship in Physics ($10,000); Rotman Institute of Philosophy Faculty Fellowship in Cognitive Neuroscience ($20,000); two Rotman Institute of Philosophy Faculty Fellowships ($20,000 each); and Rotman Institute of Philosophy Interdisciplinary Faculty Fellowship ($20,000).
- At Senate, Western President Amit Chakma’s high-level priorities for the academic year were presented. Chakma was not in attendance at the meeting; he was on a presidential trip to China. These priorities were created with colleagues and groups within the campus community, as well as with key external stakeholders. His priorities include:
-
- Complete the final stages of consultation on Western’s strategic plan renewal process, and secure Senate and Board of Governors approval to formally adopt a final draft of Going Global: Achieving Excellence on the World Stage;
- Build Western’s capacity to attract the best students from across Ontario, Canada and around the world through the high quality, innovation, breadth and reputation of our academic programs, research, scholarship and outstanding learning environment;
- Cultivate a more research-intensive culture through continued emphasis on graduate enrolment expansion, development of innovative course-based master’s programs and strategic investment in interdisciplinary areas of strength;
- Strengthen Western’s internationalization efforts through increased engagement with alumni, community and institutional partners in all areas of our teaching, learning, research and service mission;
- Monitor and contribute to Ontario’s postsecondary education policy discussions while anticipating and managing the impact of policy shifts that may emerge;
- Play a leadership role in advocating for greater public support of the postsecondary research and internationalization agendas with the federal government;
- Review and manage resource allocation and utilization in light of the changing fiscal and education policy environment while pursuing income diversification strategies, including the vigorous pursuit of Western’s fundraising campaign objectives;
- Support the recruitment and retention of outstanding academic and administrative leaders at Western; and
- Raise Western’s visibility through media, communication, public affairs and events activities.
