CANADA a Trans-Pacific Partnership with Asia

PROMOTION www.gmipost.com CANADA A Trans-Pacific Partnership with Asia

hile Canada traces back its com- Financial Services Alliance President and ish Columbia. We want to open other doors mercial ties to Asia-Pacific to the CEO Janet Ecker, who played a major role in that are maybe more lucrative in terms of Wlate 19th century, the country’s bringing the RMB initiative to reality. returns for both sides: trade discussions, commitment to the region has never been As the second-largest financial center in intellectual property opportunities, joint stronger, judging by the number of trade North America by employment, Toronto rec- initiatives, education and health,” said Brit- partnerships entered just in the last 25 years. ognizes the potential benefits of increased ish Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Participating already in the Asia Pacific engagement with Asia. Vice-President Academics Bill Dow. Economic Cooperation (APEC) and in talks “Asia, without a doubt, represents the “All these open doors. Most people in the for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Cana- largest opportunity for Toronto in the global world speak a common language around da has signed separate sweeping free trade marketplace,” stressed Toronto Mayor John those cornerstones. So, if we open with that agreements with Japan, India and South Ko- Tory. conversation, we are supporting a much rea, as well as the Foreign Investment Pro- Beyond trade and finance, Canada and bigger agenda. Education provides a great tection Agreement (FIPA) with China. China have consolidated other connections beachhead to create a very different conver- “The priority now is to sustain the re- as well. In May, Air Canada and Air China an- sation,” Dow added. lationship with our Asian counterparts nounced the launch of non-stop flights be- Meanwhile, the city of Mississauga in On- through a constant stream of communica- tween Beijing and Montréal. tario has capitalized on its reputation as an tion and relationship building,” said Ontario “A direct air route between Montréal and education and innovation center to attract Minister for Economic Development Brad the Chinese capital is great news for the investment from all corners of the globe. Duguid. business community in Québec and Asia. For instance, Japan, Canada’s largest for- (It) is a symbol of the strength of our grow- eign direct investment partner in Asia, has Facilitating More Trade and ing relationship with Asia,” said Québec Pre- over 300 Japanese subsidiaries in Canada, Investment mier Philippe Couillard. particularly in the automotive sector and According to the federal government’s “Bilateral trade between Québec and Asia many of which are based in Mississauga. “Global Markets Action Plan,” trade between is strong and shows the need for this direct “Mississauga is home to 63 Fortune 500 Canada and the Asia-Pacific reached $156.9 air route. The total value of trade in Qué- companies, almost 60,000 businesses, billion last year, an increase of more than 30 bec goods with Asia rose to $224.4 billion and 1,400 multinational firms. Job creators percent over the past five years. last year, an increase of 53 percent between choose Mississauga because of our highly Then in March of this year, Canada 2005 and 2014. Québec’s exports to Asia educated workforce,” said Mississauga Mayor opened North America’s first Chinese Ren- grew more quickly during this period (more Bonnie Crombie. minbi (RMB) clearing bank in the country’s than 103 percent) than its imports (over 40 financial capital, Toronto. As the only RMB percent),” Couillard added. Looking Ahead hub in the Western Hemisphere, the institu- As opportunities multiply in a wide range tion represents another milestone in Cana- Growth Thru Education and of sectors like finance, tourism, mining, en- da’s ever-growing trade ties with China. Innovation ergy (both nuclear and renewable), natural The agreement between Canada and As trade and investment remain impor- gas, green technology, aerospace, informa- China designated the Industrial and Com- tant components of the relationship be- tion technology, mergers and acquisitions, mercial Bank of China Canada (ICBC Canada) tween Canada and Asia, education has be- and forestry, there is much optimism and as the RMB clearing bank, which will handle come increasingly important as well. Today, excitement going around the public sector and settle transactions between Canadian Asia-Pacific countries are among the ten and the business community in Canada and and Chinese businesses without having to biggest sources of foreign students in Can- Asia. use an intermediary currency, usually the ada: China (1st), India (2nd), Korea (3rd), and Canada has barely scratched the surface U.S. dollar. Japan (7th). of Asia’s business landscape; just as China is This RMB clearing hub agreement – a Perhaps, the attraction of Canada lies in only discovering the immense investment welcome move as it eliminates one layer in the ethnic diversity found across the coun- environment in Canada. foreign trade transactions – also establish- try, which many regard as one of the world’s With so much that they already offer each es a reciprocal credit line between central most welcoming societies for immigrants. other, this trans-Pacific partnership has be- banks and sets up an investor quota that al- As the number of partnerships between gun reaping its rewards. n lows access to Chinese capital markets. Canadian and Asian schools grows, so too “This absolutely has the potential for be- does the collaboration between academics, The digital version of this report can be ing a game-changer in terms of Canadian- researchers and innovators from both sides found online at: Chinese trade. We want to minimize cur- of the Pacific. http://gmipost.com/special- rency risks as much as possible. It simply “The real end game [of collaboration] is feature/26/canada-2015.html makes it easier to do business,” said Toronto the dialogue created between Asia and Brit- 2 / Promotion I Canada www.gmipost.com Centennial College Nurtures Asia’s Global Denizens

entennial College opened its doors in 1966 as Ontario’s first publicly– funded college of applied arts and technology to provide Canada’s rapidlyC evolving economy with a new generation of technologists and community service practitioners. Nearly 50 years later, Centennial College has clearly outgrown its original mandate of serving the Greater Toronto Area alone. Today, with four campuses and four community learning sites, the college mirrors Toronto’s development as a city that has embraced its highly diverse multicultural population of six million inhabitants, as well as the innovative and creative industries that have taken root in the region. Centennial College’s globalized perspective and approach have attracted thousands of foreign students seeking an engaging education in one of the world’s most cosmo- politan capitals. More than 80 languages are spoken on campus by students represent- ing approximately 100 nations. Over the last seven years, Centennial has The global network that we’ve earmarked almost $380 million to expand its facilities and provide state-of-the-art class- established with academe and rooms and laboratories for its 19,000 stu- students benefits Canada and the dents. rest of the world. Education with a “ “We’ve really tried to make this institu- “ tion not just about attracting international global perspective is what the world students, but also about becoming truly in- needs. We want to be seen as true ternationalized,” said President and CEO Ann Buller, who has overseen the college’s evo- partners and be part of the world’s lution into a globalized institution since she supply chain of students. took over in 2004. In its “Book of Commitments,” Centennial Ann Buller, President and CEO College reaffirms its strategic goals and its obligations to its students, which include an education that nurtures entrepreneurial and With Asia growing more prosperous, Cen- with pathways to live and work in Canada. innovative thinking. tennial College opened seven satellite of- As it seeks to grow its global network, the Established in 1987, the college’s Center fices in the region – four in China, and one college is open to partnerships with other of Entrepreneurship has incubated more each in India, South Korea and Vietnam – to institutions around the world for student ex- than 3,600 small businesses and boasts an engage with prospective students and their change and research programs. outstanding 98 percent success rate. It re- parents exploring the benefits of studying in Centennial College’s network of inter- cently earned Canada’s national Colleges Toronto. national partners offers opportunities for and Institutes Canada (CICan) Entrepre- Office staff provides free advice on Cen- learning experiences through “global ser- neurship Award in the Entrepreneurship in tennial College’s programs and answers all vice learning” and work abroad. For example, the Community category for its remarkable questions about the requirements needed students traveled to Peru to help construct OSEB business mentoring program. by international students who want to study a preschool in a village high in the Andes To extend its global reach, Centennial Col- in Canada. Mountains, organized jointly with language lege engages with international students “In 2016, we will mark 20 years in China. school Maximo Nivel. via its satellite offices outside Canada. For its Our experiences working in Asia have been The college’s international student sat- brand expansion abroad and its service to remarkable. We are all for supporting our in- isfaction survey boasts an 85 percent satis- internationally-minded students, Centennial ternational students in bringing the exper- faction rating, demonstrating why Centen- received two nationally recognized awards: tise and experiences that they acquired here nial College has gained strong recognition the Gold Medal for Internationalization from at Centennial College back to their home- abroad and has been such a popular choice CICan, and the Director’s Award for Interna- land for the betterment of societies there,” among Asian students. tionalization from the Canadian Bureau for Buller explained. To create a realistic learning environment International Education (CBIE). Centennial College also provides students for its students, Centennial College adopted www.gmipost.com Canada I Promotion / 3 a new model and culture for its students. To stay competitive and relevant amid While the traditional classroom setting continuous globalization, Centennial Col- remains a necessary component, the model lege will not hesitate to challenge the incorporates simulations of the work envi- norm and establish new instruction models ronment and situations designed to gauge as it promotes its own brand of education a student’s development. Paired with state- around the world. of-the-art facilities, Centennial’s teaching Aside from strengthening its brand and model has given students the confidence business, the college also takes it upon itself and skills necessary to navigate the fast- to promote the image of Canada as a coun- changing global marketplace. try of innovation and inclusiveness, and as Centennial College’s post-graduate Inter- a responsible member of the international national Business Management program, Centennial College boasts training in courses community. with a focus on doing business in China, is such as aviation (above) and provides its students As Canada’s future prosperity increasingly with comfortable and conducive surroundings for delivered in three countries. Students take learning. relies on its ties with governments and busi- their first semester in Canada, followed by a nesses in Asia, Centennial College serves semester in Panama’s City of Knowledge and as a quasi-ambassador to the region and, the final semester in China. There, students through its alumni, fosters global citizenship learn Mandarin Chinese culture and busi- in this interconnected world of diverse cul- ness practices and complete an internship tures. in an industrial setting. “Asia is a significant market for us. Based Students also have an opportunity to on our projections and on the extraordi- earn a Master of Arts in International Busi- nary quality of students from Asia, we have ness and Centennial College’s post-graduate learned just as much from them as they Business Management Certificate through a from us. We believe that the global network joint program with Italy and India. The first that we’ve established with academe and semester is completed in Italy, followed by students benefits Canada and the rest of the a semester in India, and a final semester and an immersive environment and with a com- world,” Buller said. internship in Canada. Graduates have the munity of students drawn from a vast spec- “Education with a global perspective is opportunity to work in Canada for one year. trum of cultures. what the world needs. My main message is With the international business landscape “For the future, I’d like to see additional we want to be seen as true partners and be growing increasingly diverse and challeng- partnerships as more of our students pur- part of the world’s supply chain of students,” ing, the college believes it is vital for its sue interning and practical programs, and she added. n graduates to learn how to adapt quickly in acquire international experience,” said Buller. www.centennialcollege.ca 4 / Promotion I Canada www.gmipost.com Kaizen Discovery: Feeding Japan’s Industrial Needs Majestic Gold Positions With the price of commodities falling to nese companies to directly supply metals Itself For Market recent lows, the global mining industry has to Japan’s industrial sector. Its first such col- Recovery faced challenging times the past few years. laboration was with Japanese trading giant This downturn has resulted in an industry- Itochu Corp. with a market capitalization of wide reticence to invest in new exploration. approximately $20 billion and over 103,000 Junior mining companies already strug- employees worldwide gle to stretch their remaining working In 2014, Kaizen Discovery acquired capital and secure additional financing. Vancouver-based West Cirque Resources Analysts expect a correction in commodity (WCQ), which controlled seven prospective prices, but they are unable to predict when copper-gold porphyry exploration projects the recovery will happen. in British Columbia. The move immediate- While most in the mining industry have ly received the approval of Itochu, which adopted a wait-and-see position towards quickly took a 40 percent stake in one of this uncertainty, some bolder players have the projects. Majestic Gold’s engineers at work. recognized a massive opportunity. With more acquisitions in the pipeline, Majestic Gold is a Toronto-listed (MJS-V), “There will be a short supply of all of the Kaizen Discovery remains on track to build China-based gold producer with an open base metals, but demand will grow or stay share value intelligently and strengthen its pit mine near Yantai in Shandong Province, the same, which will only do one thing to market position ahead of the inevitable re- the nation’s largest gold-producing region. commodity prices. We identified what was bound of commodity prices. Majority control is held by Chinese nation- obvious to us: To capitalize on this situ- Clearly, Asia plays a critical role in the als, who view the company as a vehicle to ation, we needed to have a platform that successful growth strategy of Kaizen Dis- expand gold production both within and was different from anybody else,” explained covery, a fact quickly acknowledged by its outside China. Kaizen Discovery President, CEO and Direc- leadership. The company’s Songjiagou gold mine tor B. Matthew Hornor. “We are very thankful for our partnership operates at near break-even in a historical- Formed in December 2013 as part of with Itochu Corporation, for their belief in ly perverse gold market, which appears to the Ivanhoe Capital group, Kaizen Discov- the platform, and for our team. We are also have reached is cyclical bottom with a lim- ery is a Canadian mineral resource com- appreciative of the relationships we enjoy ited downside and considerable upside for pany whose strategy involves employing with the other groups in Japan who we established producers like Majestic Gold and industry-leading exploration technology, meet frequently,” said Hornor. n its shareholders. as well as forming partnerships with Japa- www.kaizendiscovery.com For strategic reasons, which include the desire to capitalize on strong gold prices, Songjiagou went into commercial production in 2012 without the benefit of a full feasibility study that comprised an efficient mine plan. Since then, the company has developed a plan that will optimize the resource grade gold at Songjiagou and re- solve ongoing grade control issues. At present, mining activities at Songjiagou are delivering a grade of 0.42 g/t, which represents about one-third of the mine’s calcu- lated resource grade. According to Majestic Gold’s President Steven Kenwood: “One can easily imagine the impact of the successful implementation of this mine plan and grade control program on our production costs, not to men- tion a potentially added profit boost from higher gold prices.” Songjiagou is a modern truck and shovel mining operation with a conventional mill and a well engineered tailings disposal sys- tem for waste storage. As a good corporate citizen, the company places a strong em- phasis on worker safety. In addition, its relationship with local vil- lages is excellent, as it is committed to provide modern housing alternatives for families impacted by our present and future mining operations. Majestic Gold’s board of directors is comprised of seasoned veterans of the Canadian and Chinese mineral industries, such as its Chairman, Gengshu Miao, the former Presi- dent of China Minmetals Corp. n www.majesticgold.com www.gmipost.com Canada I Promotion / 5 British Columbia’s Aboriginal People: Sharing A Rich, Ancient Culture With The World racing back their history to thousands of years, British Columbia’s Aboriginal people – known col- lectively as First Nations, Inuit, and TMétis peoples – enjoy a rich and deep culture that has stood the test of time. The vast lands of British Columbia are home to a people who managed to preserve their traditional way of life, still deeply imbibed in deep spirituality and defined by a strong connection to the wilderness and nature. As British Columbia’s tourism industry sees an increasing number of visitors, the appeal of and demand for an authentic and different cultural experience has only grown more popular particularly among international travelers. “It's not a true Canadian experience un- less you have an authentic Aboriginal experience as part of your overall itinerary,” said Keith Henry, the president and CEO of Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC), a non-profit organization Spoiled for Choice: Aboriginal Tourism in British Columbia offers a wide variety of extraordinary travel committed to promoting a sustainable and experiences. culturally faithful aboriginal tourism industry. “We want to make sure that visitors from strongest economic drivers and culture re- really our number one priority,” Henry said. any country really understand the real story vitalization in British Columbia that we have As of this year, the province boasts of 80 of Canada. Canada is thousands of years old. seen in years. It's a really great story,” he said. "export-ready" Aboriginal experiences. Be- If you think of Egypt and their history, frankly In recent years, Asia has played a signifi- cause of strong demand, AtBC is working we have similar history in Canada. We just cant role in popularizing Aboriginal tourism. with around 100 businesses wanting to in- haven't told our story,” added Henry. With 10,000 visitors annually coming from crease their capacity to work with tour op- This untold story, fuelled by a deep de- the Asia-Pacific region, AtBC is looking to erators in Korea, Japan and China. sire by the Aboriginal communities to share double that number within the next three “We really want to work directly with the their heritage, is contained in the different years. tour operators from all the countries in the efforts to immerse visitors into their culture To meet that objective, AtBC will host the Asia-Pacific,” Henry also said. and way of life. 2nd Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism and With its diverse product offerings and “One of the unique things for the Aborigi- Trade Conference between September 12 well-established infrastructure to accommo- nal community here in British Columbia is and 14 in Vancouver. The event will focus date travellers, British Columbia offers Asian that all our businesses are owned by our on the opportunities to promote and cel- visitors an extraordinary travel experience own people,” said Henry. ebrate Indigenous tourism in the region. It by taking part in the everyday lives of its ab- From authentic accommodations, out- will also allow participants, particularly from original communities. door adventures, and varying sorts of cultur- Asia, to gain a deeper understanding of how “This is the most authentic and unique ex- al centers, the province of British Columbia Aboriginal Tourism can enhance travel to perience you are going to have in Canada. offers an unmatched diversity of options for Canada. We believe it’s unforgettable,” said Henry. n all kinds of travellers, with nearly 75 percent “The Asia-Pacific Region is critical to us. It's www.aboriginalbc.com of tourism and establishments related to Ab- original tourism. To illustrate this diversity, British Colum- bia has 203 Aboriginal communities made up of 200,000 Aboriginal people who speak approximately 40 different languages and dialects. “We hear it all the time from people. Peo- ple walk away from the experience with a different perception of life in general. It’s a life-changing experience,” said Henry. Presently, British Columbia’s Aboriginal tourism industry contributes $35 million to the provincial economy and generates around 3,000 jobs within the Aboriginal communities. “It's a win-win situation. It's one of the 6 / Promotion I Canada www.gmipost.com Students Who Feel At Home, A World Away Saint Mary’s University looks forward to Saint Mary’s to offer student and faculty provides,” he added. continuing its strong partnership with the exchanges, academic collaborations, and Over the past de- educational community in Asia and enrich- credit transfers. cade, Saint Mary’s ing the lives of students both at home and “We have wonderful support systems in has cultivated in- abroad. place to ensure our international students ternational partner- Saint Mary’s is Canada’s international uni- succeed,” said Dr. Robert Summerby-Mur- ships across the versity, with 30 percent of its student body ray, President of Saint Mary’s University. globe, including a comprised of international students. Lo- “We know that students and their par- long-term partner- cated in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the university ents are looking for a quality education, as ship with Beijing has 180 partnerships with schools in 40 dif- well as a safe, supportive learning environ- Normal University ferent countries. These partnerships allow ment. And that’s exactly what Saint Mary’s (BNUZ). Hundreds of students from BNUZ Dr. Robert Summerby- Murray, President of have attended Saint Saint Mary’s University. Mary’s. Currently, there are more than 120 BNUZ students studying at the Halifax campus. In 2014, the prestigious Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s expanded its partnership with BNUZ and launched a unique Bachelor of Commerce degree in China, which offers students a major in Finance, and is jointly taught by Saint Mary’s faculty members. Through its continued relationships with Asian universities, Saint Mary’s provides an unmatched educational experience that inspires the next generation of global citi- zens. n www.smu.ca www.gmipost.com Canada I Promotion /7

Pillitteri Estates Winery: Flying Fresh Air Freight: Canadian Icewine 25 Years of Service Excellence Captures Taste of “We had to make a choice – fold to the oysters and salmon increase in Asia, the Growing Asian Market multinationals or to compete. Our CEO region has become a critical part of the chose to make a significant investment company’s international growth plans. and it has paid off,’ recalled Flying Fresh “Our CEO, Mr. Brendan Harnett and Vice Air Freight Senior Vice President Pablo President for Corporate and Government Rodriguez. Affairs, Mr. Sandy Moreland, spend consid- From its beginnings as a family-owned erable time in Asia as the focus has been low-cost carrier back in 1989, Flying Fresh to increase our market share in the region. Air Freight has soared to new heights to We are also extremely open to develop- become Canada’s leading forwarder of ing partnerships and opportunities, and perishable goods. outsourcing like-minded companies,” said Headed by CEO and Founder Brendan Rodriguez. Harnett, the company has managed to Flying Fresh Air Freight aims to step up compete with multinational forwarders in its business in dry cargo and other fast- the country by remaining agile and swift moving goods, such as machinery and in its operations. medical devices, while not losing sight of “Domestically, we are the leaders. We its hold on and expertise in the shipment move about 80 percent of Canada’s per- of perishable cargo. ishable domestic air freight,” Rodriguez “Our passion is perishables. That is said. something we will not deviate from. We With expansion already underway in want to be known as a global leader in U.S. cities, such as Seattle and Boston, Fly- perishables,” he stressed. n ing Fresh Air Freight is determined to fur- www.ffafcargo.com Richard Slingerland of Pillitteri Estates Winery ther widen its network to at least 15 more examines Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine during locations in the next three years. harvest. As demand for Canadian Dungeness Pillitteri Estates Winery is a family– crab, lobsters, cherries, pine mushrooms, owned and –operated winery established in 1993 by Gary and Lena Pillitteri. Today, Pillitteri has grown to become Discover Your Opportunity in Niagara the world’s largest estate producer of Icewine and produces more than “Niagara” – probably one of the agara’s homegrown brands have 100,000 cases of wine per year. widest known global brands – attracted a rising number of Over the past 20 years, Pillitteri Estates has much more going for it than global companies, with notable Winery has been honored with more its famous waterfall. The Niagara growth coming from Asia. Niaga- than 750 wine awards, at both domes- Region’s non-tourism economic ra Economic Development wants tic and international competitions, the base plays a significant role in to capitalize on this increased ac- most recent being ‘Red Wine of the Year’ stimulating Ontario’s economy. tivity and introduce more Cana- for the 2010 Appassimento Cabernet Because of its strategic and ac- dian products to the global mar- Franc at the Ontario Wine Awards and cessible location in North Amer- ketplace. a gold medal for Riesling Icewine at De- ica, favorable investment condi- In past years, Asian businesses canter World Wine Awards. tions, and growing number of have expressed significant inter- For more than 15 years, Pillitteri has entrepreneurs and innovators, the Niagara Economic est in Niagara’s grape growing Development Director been dedicated to promoting Canadian Niagara Region is expanding its Bob Seguin. and wine industry, with the clas- wines around the globe, making it one traditional base of agri-food and sic Canadian Icewine emerging as of the world’s most widely recognized manufacturing to encompass a varied range a favorite. Canadian wine brands. of advanced technology applications that “We recognize the importance of the Currently Pillitteri exports to 32 dif- include aerospace, greenhouses, biotech, to expanding Asian marketplace. We are ferent countries in Central and South high quality stainless steel. identifying opportunities and building America, Australia, Europe and Asia, with The new TEAM NIAGARA Economic De- relationships. Very many Asians visit to see a large focus on China, Hong Kong, Ja- velopment Action Plan, drafted with the Niagara Falls, but we are encouraging more pan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Ma- help of the region’s officials, reflects the of these visitors to take the time to explore laysia. ambitions of all 12 municipalities in the ‘the full Niagara’ with business interests in Pillitteri has been working in the Chi- area and serves as a road map to achieve its mind. We are finding a growing interest in nese market since 1999, establishing enormous potential. the wide range of business opportunities itself as the world’s premier brand of Ice- Through partnerships with Innovate Niag- Niagara and Asia represent for each other,” wine in the country. ara, Brock University, Niagara College, Vine- said Niagara Economic Development As a VQA (Vinters Quality Alliance) land Research and Innovation Centre and Director Bob Seguin. n winery, Pillitteri takes pride in what they the District School Board of Niagara, Niagara www.niagaracanada.com do and recognize that there is still much Economic Development is able to assist en- more room for growth. n trepreneurs and innovators in improving www.pillitteri.com their products and services. Over the past few years, a number of Ni- 8 /Promotion I Canada www.gmipost.com Sartrex: Climbing the ranks and engineering success Jay Sarkar, CEO of Sartrex Power Based in Ontario, Sartrex is a high- The CEO is a member of various nuclear Control Systems, is an inspiration technology instrumentation compa- associations and societies, and takes part in to many, having worked his way ny that supplies custom–designed trade missions of the Canadian government through the ranks as an engineer. control and safety equipment for to promote the Canada Deuterium Uranium He has since gone on to nurture the nuclear power generation, military brand, a Canadian-made reactor used for company into a multimillion dollar and security-related markets. generating electric power. operation. Sarkar said: “Success does not Sarkar has strategically shaped the compa- Bangladeshi-born Sarkar recalled: come without hard work. You need ny to become profitable over the last decade, “I had one vision. Who could have perseverance, discipline, desire and through strong leadership and diversification, thought that from initially working Jay Sarkar, P. Eng. commitment. It is important to be- as well as entering other business projects. n for a company that you could go on Founder, President lieve in yourself and hold a positive www.sartex.ca and CEO, Sartrex to buy it? I did and it’s the absolute Power Control attitude. This is a cutthroat industry truth.” Systems. as you know.” BCIT: Longtime Partner in Industrial Development For over 50 years, British Columbia Insti- opment of BCIT’s programs and curriculum. tute of Technology (BCIT) has played an “Our key partner is industry, whose lead- integral role in laying the foundations on ers work with us every step of the way. That which the province of British Columbia was is a unique attribute of BCIT,” stressed Dow. built. As one of the largest post-secondary insti- “Back in the Sixties, there was a focus on tutions in Canada, BCIT offers programs and building the infrastructure of this province courses in the following fields: Applied and for future generations,” recalled Bill Dow, Vice Natural Sciences, Business and Media, Com- President for Academics at BCIT. puting and IT, Engineering, Health Sciences, A pioneer in applied education, BCIT Trades and Apprenticeship, among others. BCIT’s students get top-notch training. works closely with industry and business to Across five campuses and 10 satellite loca- over 370 programs. better understand their employee and in- tions, BCIT educates more than 47,000 full- Over the last decade, the institute has ex- dustry requirements, which form the devel- time and part-time students every year in panded its connections beyond Canada. In China, South Korea, and Brazil, BCIT helps its partners in the development of their curriculum through capacity–building and the effective implementation of new programs. BCIT also offers offshore diploma programs at more than a dozen of partner institutes abroad. “A significant element of our business is international. To be relevant as a post- secondary institute, you need global experience. What we bring to overseas partnerships is a BCIT total solution. We provide our international partners with the capacity to create the BCIT learning experience for their students,” said Dow. As Asian economies face rapid growth and huge changes in their business land- scapes, BCIT recognizes a growing need for high-level vocational training and applied education in the region, where university education remains the preferred path for ca- reer growth. BCIT is also seeking expanded partnerships in countries like India, Vietnam, and the Philippines, which are increasing efforts to support their own vocational and applied training to complement their economic development plans. “The advantage of having an international partner is that it holds you accountable. Successful companies recognize that. And, that’s what they are gaining: our guidance and consulting helps them hit that mark every time,” said Dow. n www.bcit.ca/international