Grade 12 students throughout the province can now apply for a brand-new scholarship that celebrates student excellence through the study of Chinese language and culture.

The new BC-China Award for Excellence encourages students enrolled in public and independent schools in British Columbia to learn Mandarin as a second language. The award helps build and expand the multicultural relationship between British Columbia and China.

Fifty awards, each worth $500, will be available to students. The cost of the awards is shared evenly by the provincial government and the Education Office of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver.

Students must apply by March 31, 2016, to the B.C. Council for International Education (BCCIE). BCCIE is administering the award program on behalf of the ministry and Consulate-General. BCCIE will evaluate, select and notify award winning recipients by June 30, 2016.

Students can apply by completing an application. For more information on how to apply and on eligibility requirements, visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/bc-china-award-for-excellence

As a result of British Columbia’s strong economic growth and fiscal discipline, government is able to support and fund projects that make a real difference in the lives of British Columbians.

Quotes:

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –

“When students learn another language, it provides them with incredible experiences that help them gain lifelong connections, providing them with future opportunities to travel and work abroad. This scholarship program builds on government’s existing collaborative relationship with China and contributes to the goals of B.C.’s International Education Strategy.”

LIU Fei, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver –

“China is one of the two largest trade partners with Canada. There is a huge demand for bilingual students. Launching the new BC-China Award for Excellence has offered students with an interest in China a wonderful opportunity to participate in a broader area. We look forward to working closely with the Government of B.C. to make the scholarship a successful and popular one.”

Quick Facts:

• The B.C. Council for International Education is a Crown corporation supporting B.C.’s dynamic and growing international education sector. 
• The B.C. Council for International Education (BCCIE) is administering the awards on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
• In 2014-15, B.C. students were enrolled in 4,625 Mandarin Chinese courses at the grades 10, 11 and 12 levels.
• Government launched British Columbia's International Education Strategy in 2012 to promote the global two-way flow of students, educators and ideas between countries.
• International education is a key sector under the BC Jobs Plan, and British Columbia is making progress toward the goal of a 50% increase in the number of international students by September 2016.

Learn More:

BC-China Award for Excellence: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/bc-china-award-for-excellence

B.C. Offshore Schools: 
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=ED64DCA20D62461EA971C1AF8CC314EF&title=Offshore%20Schools

BC’s Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/

BC Jobs Plan, International Education Strategy: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/internationaleducation/welcome.htm