A Brock delegation strengthened the University's global presence and fostered meaningful connections with institutional partners, alumni and educators during a recent strategic visit to China.
Beginning Oct. 30, David Begg, Associate Vice-President, International, and Anna Guo, Director, International Student Recruitment, attended the Canadian Education Mission to China in Shanghai. Organized by the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), the four-day event saw University delegates engage in collaborative discussions to deepen co-operation and partnership between Canadian and Chinese institutions.
Begg and Guo connected with a broader Brock delegation including Lesley Rigg, President and Vice-Chancellor; Meaghan Rusnell, Interim Vice-President, External; Rob Gottschalk, Associate Vice-President, Alumni and Development; Barry Wright, Dean of the Goodman School of Business; and Joanna Chen, Senior Relationship Manager, China in Beijing for a series of multi-focused engagements across the country from Nov. 3 to 8.
During the visit, Rigg provided remarks at the CCBC's Canada-China Education Conference, which brought members of the delegation together with senior industry executives, government representatives and subject-matter experts to advance shared priorities and strengthen Canada-China relations.
"These types of engagements are reflective of Brock's commitment to holistic internationalization leveraging global relationships to support student mobility, enhancing our reputation for academic and research excellence, and growing a vibrant, engaged alumni network that transcends borders," Rigg said.
To deepen longstanding educational partnerships, delegates also embarked on campus visits to Brock's partner institutions the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) and the City University of Hong Kong (CityU).
A new academic exchange agreement with Beijing Foreign Studies University was also signed by Rigg and Wright during the trip. The agreement will expand global co-operation with the institution and provide future opportunities for student and faculty exchanges and joint research initiatives. Wright also signed a partnership agreement between Goodman and the Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
The delegation hosted members of Brock's international alumni network, high school representatives and key recruitment partners at an Educator Event and Alumni Reception in Beijing, as well as a reception for alumni in Hong Kong. By recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of alumni and building relationships with those who guide prospective students in their decision-making, the University reaffirmed its commitment to student success while inspiring new generations of students to choose Brock as their institution of choice.
Whether building bonds between graduates while recalling their campus days or exploring new ways to collaborate, Gottschalk said strengthening Brock's network in China and around the world benefits current and prospective students and alumni alike.
"Our alumni glowed when reflecting on how our Brock teams helped them adjust to and thrive while living and studying thousands of kilometers away from home," said Gottschalk. "By strengthening our connections with our alumni community, we create a vibrant network of knowledge, opportunity and mentorship that reinforces meaningful, lifelong ties and cultivates ambassadors for the Brock experience."
The visit also included engagements at the Canadian Consulates in both Hong Kong and Guangzhou as well as the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. Dialogues centred on shared commitments to promoting high-quality Canadian education, opportunities to enhance Brock's presence in China and deepening the Canada-China relationship.
