Premier opens Royal Roads University Asia Office
For immediate release – Nov. 30 2007
HONG KONG, CHINA - Premier Gordon Campbell officially opened the Asia
Operations office for Victoria-based Royal Roads University in Hong Kong
today.
"British Columbia`s post-secondary institutions are building stronger
education connections than ever before with the Asia-Pacific," said
Campbell. "The expanded Royal Roads presence in Asia will strengthen our
links with the world`s fastest-growing economy and contribute to our
efforts to increase B.C.`s profile as Canada`s Pacific Gateway."
The office is a first for Royal Roads, although the university`s
presence in the region goes back to 1999 when it began offering its MBA
program throughout Asia through educational partners. RRU now has close
to 2,700 alumni in China - more alumni from an Asian-based program than
any other Canadian university.
Royal Roads president Allan Cahoon said that while RRU`s primary focus
is on serving British Columbia and Canada, the university`s mandate
calls for it to strengthen relationships within the Pacific Rim.
"We do this with programs in the Asia-Pacific region that build strong
ties, global citizenship, and trade linkages," said Cahoon. "We now have
thousands of graduates who are influential and successful professionals
in a country that is an engine of economic growth and a vibrant trading
partner of B.C."
RRU was the first and is believed still to be the only Canadian
university to deliver programming in China in the Chinese language. Most
of the university`s 1,347 international students are taking the MBA
program in Asia, with some enrolled in the Thai-Canada MA in Conflict
Analysis and Management program and others taking Canadian-based
programs. The latter include undergraduates participating in a
partnership agreement that sees them attend a Chinese University for the
first two years and then complete their degree at RRU. In addition,
Royal Roads is assisting the Central Party School in developing
environmental education for Chinese leaders.
Cahoon says establishing an office in Asia will allow RRU to streamline
and improve its services and relationships with affiliates, learners and
alumni in the region.
Established in 1995, Royal Roads University is the only university in
Canada dedicated to exclusively offering applied and professional
programs, primarily at the master`s level.
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Click here to view and download photos of Premier Gordon Campbell`s mission to
Asia.
For more information on Royal Roads University activities and events
visit www.royalroads.ca/.
For media queries, contact:
Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 213-8218
Phil Saunders
Communications Officer
Royal Roads University
250 391-2526
cell 250 812-5065
phil.saunders@royalroads.ca
Stephanie Slater
Community Relations Director
Royal Roads University
250 391-2712
cell 250 361-5020
stephanie.slater@royalroads.ca
