The first joint international degree program offered at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) was created today in Shanghai, China. UNBC President, George Iwama, and Dr. Xue Wei, Vice-President International of Wenzhou University signed a Letter of Intent, facilitating the universities’ partnership in a collaborative master’s degree in Environmental Science and Engineering, commencing September 2012.

Approximately eight Chinese students per year will participate in the graduate program at the University of Northern British Columbia and receive a UNBC credential.  This will result in new collaborations for UNBC and Wenzhou University researchers in the area of Environmental Science and Engineering.  Graduate education in Environmental Science is of critical importance for both B.C. and China in addressing environmental and ecological issues their communities could face, today and in the future. 

“This is our first joint international degree program at the graduate level and we hope to discuss the development of similar programs at the undergraduate level with Wenzhou University in the future,” explains Dr. Iwama. “Increased international student enrolment at UNBC will enhance the student experience and offer Canadian students the opportunity to learn about China, be informed and responsible global citizens, and become actively involved in international issues". 

Dr. Iwama and Carolyn Russell, Director of Student Success and International Operations, are in China and India for the next week with Premier Christy Clark and 250 other delegates interested in fostering and enhancing international relations in the areas of business, trade, mining, and education. The mission’s intent is to formalize the negotiations begun by B.C.’s post-secondary institutions by signing of agreements with various institutions and government partners. These agreements will formalize collaborative relationships in support of numerous international education initiatives including program development, student and faculty exchange, and research partnerships.

“UNBC has a strong history of international exchanges in research and education,” says Dr. Iwama. “By travelling to China and India, we’re continuing to develop and maintain UNBC’s long-standing relationships with our Chinese partners in education, and explore new ones with Indian educational institutions.”

UNBC signed a general agreement of cooperation with Wenzhou University in August 2010.  Since then, faculty in Environmental Science and Engineering at UNBC have worked closely with their counterparts at Wenzhou University on joint research projects and collaborations in the area of soil and water pollution control and remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. 

Since 2001, UNBC has witnessed substantial growth in its international student population.  Today, the UNBC student population is comprised of approximately eight percent of international students (undergraduate and graduate). 
UNBC maintains formal exchange linkages with more than 35 universities and two national organizations in 19 countries around the world, resulting in approximately 100 international exchange opportunities. These linkages allow for exchange of students, faculty and staff. In addition, they encourage collaborative research, joint academic and scientific exchanges, exchange of publications, and training and teaching experiences.