International mobility of students between British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Southwest University in China will be enhanced by up to 16 scholarships, announced Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson during a mission to China.

“These scholarships will open up new opportunities for students in B.C. and China,” said Wilkinson. “Everyone benefits from the cultural diversity international students bring to our campuses and communities, and from the global experiences and skills B.C. students gain by studying in other countries.”

The scholarships support student mobility, enhance employment skills of Canadians to compete in international job markets, promote study in B.C. and attract international students to engineering, IT and vocational programs.

Students may receive $2,500 to $5,000 each year to study at Southwest University or BCIT. The government of British Columbia, BCIT and Southwest University are each contributing $25,000 for the scholarships.

“BCIT is proud to welcome students from Southwest University,” said BCIT president Kathy Kinloch. “BCIT appreciates the support from the B.C. government and the partnership with Southwest University - a partnership that will enhance student mobility between both countries.”

Southwest University is recognized as one of the top 50 universities in China. BCIT and Southwest established a partnership through the Confucius Institute at BCIT and have partnered on curriculum development and exchanges for students and faculty since 2009.

This is the first mission to China for Wilkinson as Advanced Education Minister. He is accompanied by representatives from four B.C. post-secondary institutions: British Columbia Institute of Technology, Langara College, Simon Fraser University, and the University of British Columbia.

The mission is an opportunity to strengthen existing government-to-government education relations, and establish new relations and institutional partnerships. It will also promote the two-way exchange of students and highlight pathways to further learning in British Columbia such as offshore schools to post-secondary institutions in B.C. These are key goals of B.C.’s International Education Strategy.

Quick facts:

• In 2012-13, there were 112,800 international students from 180 countries around the world attending public and private post-secondary institutions, elementary and secondary schools, and private Languages Canada schools in British Columbia, up 20% from 94,000 over three years.
• Students from China made up the greatest proportion of international students in B.C. in 2012-13, with 25,800 attending all levels of education:
  • 13,300 in public post-secondary institutions
  • 5,800 in private post-secondary institutions
  • 2,400 in private Languages Canada schools
  • 4,300 in the kindergarten to grade 12 level

Learn more:

B.C. Trade Mission 2015: www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2015/03/spring-trade-missions-showcase-bcs-diverse-export-market-in-asia.html

B.C.’s International Education Strategy: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/internationaleducation/forms/InternationalEducationStrategy_WEB.PDF

Confucius Institute: www.confuciusbcit.com/

Media Contacts:

Sarah Newton
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-5087
sarah.newton@gov.bc.ca