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Queen’s is taking part in a visit by universities from across Ontario to Jiangsu Province, China, with the aim of expanding partnerships and fostering stronger ties.

The delegation, led by the Council of Ontario Universities, and representing 11 Ontario universities, is meeting with institutions and businesses in the province from Tuesday, Nov. 3 to Friday, Nov. 6.

Queen’s is represented on the mission by Zhiyao Zhang, Director, Queen’s China Liaison Office.

“Queen’s is pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this mission, which will build ties with institutions in a region of focus for Queen’s internationalization efforts,” says Daniel Woolf, Queen’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “The mission will help advance the objectives of the university’s Comprehensive International Plan by providing opportunities to explore new research partnerships and collaborative academic programs.”

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne leads the mission, which culminates in a signing ceremony and celebration on Friday, Nov. 6 in Nanjing. Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade Minister Michael Chan will join the ceremony, at which an agreement between Ontario and Jiangsu provinces will be signed. The agreement sets a framework for renewed collaboration in higher education and research.

Ontario universities were invited by the Jiangsu Department of Education after several Vice Presidents of Research were hosted here last year.

“Ontario universities are actively forging connections with universities around the world to expand and foster partnerships that will boost the province’s competitive advantage globally,” says Bonnie Patterson, president and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities. “Missions like this one to China to enhance partnerships in academic programs and research and to seek new exchange opportunities for students and faculty, give Ontario an even more competitive edge on the world stage.”

Along with Queen’s, the universities taking part in the COU mission are: Carleton, Lakehead, Laurentian, McMaster, Nipissing, OCAD, Ottawa, Trent, Wilfrid Laurier and York.

Queen’s launched its in August 2015 to support its internationalization efforts. Among the plan’s goals are strengthening Queen’s international research engagement and creating more opportunities for student mobility through programs like academic exchange programs. The plan also aims to attract high quality international students to Queen’s and to increase international educational opportunities on the Queen’s campus.