Alberta China Partnership

Part of Alberta’s international focus is to strengthen economic and cultural ties in Asia, including China.  Expanding education relationships has proven to further economic, cultural, and diplomatic relationships between countries on many levels.  In 2010, the Province renewed its agreement with China to extend the cooperative relationship between our respective ministries of education. In addition, the Education administrators study tour mission to China, expanded areas of cooperation to include the municipality of Chongqing.

Given the varied interests of both Chinese and Alberta education partners, International Education Services and senior administrators from Alberta school jurisdictions have developed a Strategic Framework for Enhancing International Education with China and an action plan for its implementation. in 2011.  

The Framework supports the goals and objectives of Alberta’s International Strategy, its newly enacted legislation to create a provincial Asia Advisory Council, and provides alignment with the renewed agreement between Alberta and China ministries of education.  The Framework also supports the international education direction and initiatives of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada which identify China as a country of primary interest. 

Education Administrators Study Mission to China
October 14-23, 2010 

Alberta and China enjoy a long standing relationship and continue to build connections and ties in the area of international education.  In 2010, the Office of Chinese Language Council International/Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban), one of Alberta’s priority education partners in China once again generously extended an invitation to Education to have Alberta senior administrators participate in a China study mission.  As in the past, Hanban covered the cost of accommodations, and transportation and meals within China. 

This year however, Alberta’s Superintendents had the added benefit of joining a larger, Canadian delegation which provided additional dimensions for peer learning, information sharing and networking with colleagues from other provinces.      

The program for the Alberta delegation focused on Chongqing, owing to the success of the 2009 Superintendents study tour.  Gilbert Guimont, Acting Executive Director, French and International Education Services Sector led the Alberta delegates and provided Chinese education officials and administrators information about the kindergarten to grade 12 education system. 

Within the context of a Canadian study mission, Alberta participation was limited to those jurisdictions with membership in the International Education Advisory Council and/or with current offerings or interest in initiating Chinese language programming in its schools.    

For more information contact

Pamela Wolfe, Education Manager, International Education Services
Email: Pamela.wolfe@gov.ab.ca
Phone: 780-427-2035 (toll-free by first dialing 310-0000)