Algoma U partners with Chinese university

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

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University of Jinan in Sault Ste. Marie to sign agreement

SAULT STE. MARIE - Algoma University has signed a five-year partnership agreement with the University of Jinan in the Province of Shandong, China.

The agreement will promote the cooperation and exchange of teachers, researchers, and students, as well as the exchange of academic materials, publications, and information.

"This linkage, the first international partnership for Algoma University, is part of our effort to create a diverse and global university experience for our students," said Dr. Richard Myers, president of Algoma University. "We are looking forward to hosting students from the University of Jinan here on our campus, and to have some of our students travel there to gain valuable global experience as well."

Following from the general agreement between the two universities, Algoma University Registrar Dave Marasco and the School of Management at the University of Jinan signed a second agreement that will provide a foundation for promoting international and intercultural understanding and exchange between the two institutions.

As part of this second agreement, both parties will develop and carry out collaborative academic activities, the first of which is the initiation of a joint ESL foundation program to be delivered at the University of Jinan, built upon the current ESL@Algoma program.

This program will increase the English language proficiency of Jinan students who are interested in coming to Canada studying at Algoma University.

Upon successful completion of the first part of their ESL studies at Jinan, the students will come to Canada to complete the program at Algoma University and then stream into the undergraduate business program here.

Marasco noted that: "Partnering with a distinguished university like the University of Jinan will provide a foundation for promoting international and cultural diversity between our two institutions, and to develop a unique opportunity to enhance collaborative initiatives. The agreement strengthens our institutional strategy of international outreach and recruitment."

The University of Jinan was founded in 1948, and has 35,000 students studying in 75 different programs.

It is looking to become a more global institution, bolstering their school of foreign languages and sending many students to study overseas at universities in Korea, Australia and UK, and more recently the United States and Canada.

The University of Jinan is interested in launching their joint ESL foundation program as early as March 2011.

About Algoma University

Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in psychology, computer science, business administration, fine arts, community economic and social development, and biology in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton and Timmins.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.

Algoma University has launched is Essential Elements Campaign to expand its campus and offer more scholarships and awards to students.

To learn more about Algoma University, visit www.algomau.ca

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