Historic Sir Howard Douglas Hall at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Fredericton campus was the setting for the renewal of the 3+1+1 Pathway program with Nanjing Forestry University (NJFU) in China. Leaders from both institutions came together to celebrate a decade of educational collaboration.
"You have come a long way to see our beautiful campus and renew our special partnership, and for that, we are deeply appreciative," said Dr. Paul Mazerolle, UNB president and vice chancellor, welcoming the NJFU delegation.
Dr. John Kershaw, assistant vice president academic partnerships, and Dr. Michelle Gray, dean of the faculty of forestry and environmental management (ForEM), joined Dr. Mazerolle at the signing.
The NJFU delegation comprised Tongming Yin, vice president of NJFU; Jiang Jiang, dean and professor, College of Forestry; Chun Zhou, director, graduate school of NJFU; Chunshi Nong, professor, Southern Modern Forestry Collaborative Innovation Center; Lin Cao, director, International Joint Laboratory of the Ministry of Education; and Liangjiao Xue, director, National Key Laboratories.
Yin spoke of the university's history, programs, and international partnerships, graciously extending an invitation for Dr. Mazerolle to visit the high-level research university, located in China's Jiangsu province.
Under the agreement, students complete three years of undergraduate studies at NJFU, followed by one year of pre-approved forestry and environmental management courses at UNB. Pathway students earn an NJFU undergraduate degree with the option to complete a UNB master's degree the following year.
The original agreement between the two universities was signed in 2014 and the first cohort arrived at UNB in 2017. It was last renewed in 2019.
Almost 50 students have entered the program, with 45 obtaining their bachelor's degree from NJFU-all but five continued their studies abroad, earning a UNB master's degree.
While at UNB, NJFU students learn technical and leadership skills and about the career paths that are open to them.
This year's agreement expands the program to include UNB's master of environmental management degree and UNB scholarship awards.
Dr. Mazerolle noted that global environmental issues, especially climate change and the preservation of natural resources, require the research focus prioritized by both UNB and NFJU.
Past participants are enthusiastic about the program.
"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the first cohort in the 3+1+1 program. My journey over the years, studying and then working at UNB, has been transformative. I've experienced significant personal growth and exciting changes in my life," said Yunjia Dai (MF'19), who now works at UNB's Strategic Communications & Marketing.
"Adapting to a new social and cultural environment, I have successfully transitioned from a student to a working professional.
"Thanks to the collaborative support from both NJFU and ForEM, academically and professionally, the 3+1+1 pathway program has without a doubt provided me with a strong foundation and set me off to a good start," said Dai.
Haozhou Wang (MSF'20), now a project research assistant at the University of Tokyo, said he learned how to pitch his research to others during his three years at UNB.
"With the assistance of my supervisor, Dr. Kershaw, I practised and attended many kinds of academic activities, from weekly lab meetings to the annual UNB Graduate Research Conference and then several international oral conferences in the U.S. and B.C.," said Wang.
"I obtained the courage and confidence to stand in front of people to promote my research. I was also encouraged to attend other non-professional programs, such as the three-minute thesis competition and inter-school student meetings, to practice how to make my research easy to understand for non-professionals.
"Most importantly, my professor taught me a novel lesson about how to balance academic and daily life," said Wang.
Dr. Mazerolle emphasized the experience students gain at UNB.
"This cross-cultural program broadens horizons for many students who seek an unforgettable experience in a foreign country, where they make lifelong friendships, gain valuable skills and use them as a stepping stone for greater life goals," he said.
"Here's to another five years of cross-cultural education, shared benefits and hopefully, many graduates who put their skills and knowledge to use here and abroad."
