Holland College has signed a new educational joint venture agreement to deliver programs in Hainan Province, China. The agreement, which was signed earlier today between the College and Hainan College of Vocation and Technique, enables Holland College to deliver its Golf Management program jointly with HCVT in China in 2006.
Dr. Deng Chuanming, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Luoniushan Agriculture & Industry & Trade Co. Ltd. (HCVT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Luoniushan Co.); and Dr. Brian McMillan, President of Holland College, signed the agreement following a series of discussions that took place while Holland College representatives were in China over the past few months.
This is not the first agreement of its kind for the college to sign with schools in China. Chinese students have been working in programs developed with Holland College in the areas of Computer Information Systems, Accounting Technology, and Hotel and Restaurant Management for the past several years. The programs are the result of an educational joint agreement signed early in February 2001 for Holland College to establish China Canada Advanced Training Centres in Sichuan Province, Jiangsu Province, Hubie Province, and Chongquin.
Dr. McMillan sees the signing of this new educational joint venture agreement as a continuation of the success of the programs the College currently has underway in other provinces in China.
"Our relationship with the colleges in China has been very beneficial," Dr. McMillan said. "Holland College has an excellent international reputation for the quality of the programs that have been delivered in China to date. As is the case with these programs, Holland College will develop the Golf Management program's curriculum, which will then be delivered by Chinese instructors."
Premier Pat Binns and Mr. Wang Weilu, Party Secretary of Hainan Province were in attendance at the signing. Premier Binns said the agreements Holland College has forged in China exemplify the types of links that Island institutions and companies can form with a country that is rapidly emerging as an important economic power.
"Holland College has worked hard to develop the links that now exist with its partners in China," the Premier said. "These relationships have laid the groundwork for significant growth in the delivery of Holland College's programs across China."
"Holland College is one of 26 international colleges approved by the Ministry of Education to deliver training programs in China. The partnership between Holland College and Hainan College of Vocation and Technique is the first Educational Joint Venture Golf Club Management Program to be offered in China. It is anticipated that many of the students in the Golf program in Hainan will further their study in Prince Edward Island. This agreement was made possible because of the Twinning Agreement that was signed between The Province of Hainan and the Province of Prince Edward Island in 2001." Dr. Deng Chuanming said.
There are approximately 200 golf courses open in China right now. Interest in golf has been growing rapidly over the past few years, and local governments are building more to meet the demand. Growth in the number of golf courses in China averages between 20 to 30 per cent annually, creating a demand for professional golf club management specialists.
For more information about this release, please contact: Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Thursday, September 22, 2005
