Holland College is preparing to welcome 40 visitors from eight institutions in China early next week to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its Educational Joint Ventures (EJV) in China.

Holland College has nearly 20 years of experience working in China on a number of institutional development projects such as the Canadian College Partnership Program. The college has been committed to helping Chinese colleges develop industry-driven competency-based education.

Holland College President Dr. Brian McMillan said the agreements were created to address the need for Canadian competency based training in China.

“There is a significant increase in demand for Canadian post-secondary education in China because the Chinese government has mandated that a large number of their post-secondary institutions transition to applied learning centres” he said. “The partnerships that we have forged and nurtured over the last 15 years have enabled us to establish a reputation for providing Chinese students with exemplary post-secondary programs.  Moreover, not only has the EJV program been an academic and cultural success for our respective post-secondary institutions, it has allowed us the opportunity to build new friendships.”

More than 15 years ago, the college began developing a concept based on delivering certain training programs in China in partnership with local Chinese colleges. By January 2001, a formal agreement and key components of the Educational Joint Venture had been reached with the six colleges. Formal agreements were signed in early February of 2001 as part of the Team Canada Trade Mission to China led by Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

The Educational Joint Venture between Holland College and the Chinese partner colleges utilizes a delivery model whereby Chinese students who complete their three-years of study in China obtain dual diplomas from their participating Chinese college and Holland College. Individual Chinese students interested in studying overseas may choose to study at Holland College after one year or two years.

Currently, there are close to 1,200 students enrolled in the Automotive Technology, Business Administration Business Manager Profile, Computer Information Systems, Computer Networking Technology, Early Childhood Care and Education, Electromechanical Technology, Golf Club Management, International Hospitality Management, and Marketing and Advertising Management programs in Chengdu Technological University, Zhenjiang College, Hainan College of Vocation and Technique, Xuchang University, Anyang Normal University, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology Nanchang Campus, Shangrao Normal University, and Guiyang Vocational and Technical College. A new partner, Xinyu University, will join the EJV program soon.

The anniversary celebrations include tours of the Prince of Wales and Summerside Waterfront campuses, and an official opening ceremony on Wednesday morning followed by an educational forum in the afternoon. The events are rounded off with a gala dinner at Holland College’s Tourism and Culinary Centre on Wednesday evening.