CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE MEDIA RELEASE

A delegation from the Wuyi University in Jiangmen, China has signed historic Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and the Barkerville Heritage Trust, which is the charitable organization that manages Barkerville Historic Town. The MOU signings took place in Prince George on May 23, 2013 and stem, in part, from relationships that were formed during Mayor Shari Green’s delegation to China in November 2012.

Media Download: Left to Right - John Massier, Chair of the Barkerville Heritage Trust, Chancellor Wang, Wuyi University, Prince George Mayor Shari Green, and UNBC President George Iwama.

“This visit is one more advancement in strengthening Prince George’s relationship with the people of Jiangmen, China,” said Shari Green, Mayor of Prince George. “It opens the door for further cultural exchange as well as learning and sharing between our Colleges and Universities.”

The agreement between Wuyi University and UNBC is designed to promote international cooperation in education and research, and covers activities such as: collaborative research projects; staff development programs; staff and student exchanges; and the exchange of publications, reports and other academic information. It also allows the two institutions to develop additional activities of mutual benefit. This year, UNBC has 462 international students, up from 320 five years ago and 112 a decade ago.

“We have exchange agreements with universities across the globe, with students from more than 35 countries attending UNBC,” said Dr. George Iwama, President of UNBC. “This
agreement, however, is unique because it was initiated as a result of the City’s vision to develop a sister-city relationship with Jiangmen; we’re honoured to play a role in that process.”

As one of the first institutions of higher education authorized by the National Ministry of Education to recruit international students, WYU has enrolled over 800 students from the
United States, Mexico, England, Japan, Poland, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russian, France, Vietnam, Yemen, Peru etc., who are engaged in both long-term and short-term of study.

WYU maintains a vigorous and substantial academics exchanges program with at least 32 accredited universities and colleges in 12 friendly nations. Every year WYU sends over 20 highly qualified teachers/scholars to England, United States or Japan for advanced studies and academic exchange, and over 10 students abroad for jointly articulated programs.

“Jiangmen is home to many overseas Chinese. We are proud of the historic connections with Canada, especially with British Columbia. Most of the early Chinese immigrants who took part in mining and in building of Canada's great railway came from the Jiangmen region,” said Chancellor WANG, Wuyi University. “Through our partnerships with the University of Northern British Columbia and Barkerville Heritage Trust, we look forward to strengthening our long-time relations, and building closer and deeper ties for the new generations of our two great countries."

After a trip to Jiangmen in 2009, Barkerville developed the bi-lingual exhibit “Who Am I? Bridging the Pacific from Guangdong to Barkerville and Back” featuring stories and photographs taken from the Barkerville Archives of early Chinese pioneers, most of whom were from near Jiangmen. The exhibit, which contains 60 display panels and over 1300 photographs on an interactive iPad, is currently travelling in Guangdong Province and will return research information to both the Guangdong Qiaogxiang Culture Research Centre at Wuyi University and Barkerville Historic Town.

“The information about the photos that is collected as the exhibit travels through the ‘home towns’ of the Chinese immigrants will increase understanding on both sides of the Pacific of the lives of these heroic sojourners. By deepening our relationship with Wuyi University we are building bridges between cultures and linking our past to our future” said John Massier, Chair of the Barkerville Heritage Trust.