Canada Learning Initiative in China celebrates 1,000 students milestone
6 November 2024
CLIC alumni join U of A President Flanagan, Chinese Ambassador Wang, Gregory Lemermeyer of Global Affairs Canada, Philippe Rheault of the U of A Chinese Institute, and U of A AVP (International) Cen Huang at the CLIC Ottawa reception.
Since 2016, Canada Learning Initiative in China (CLIC)'s mission has been to empower Canadian students to immerse themselves in China's rich educational landscape, earn university credits, and develop a global perspective while fostering vital networks for Canada-China relations. By the summer of 2024, CLIC marked a milestone of sending more than 1,000 Canadian students to China, an important achievement in Canada-China people-to-people exchanges.
Led by the University of Alberta, CLIC is a consortium of ten U15 universities connecting Canadian students with funded, high-calibre study and research opportunities at prestigious Chinese universities.
“The Canada Learning Initiative in China helps students to develop critical global competencies. Programs like this enrich students’ academic and professional careers and encourage positive contributions to our increasingly interconnected world,” says Melissa Padfield, Deputy Provost, Students and Enrolment. “They also align with the U of A’s goals to foster international experiences and experiential learning opportunities, both of which have been identified in Igniting Purpose: The Student Experience Action Plan.”
Cen Huang, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (International) and CLIC joint committee chair, added, “CLIC’s success is an exemplary model of collaboration and partnership in promoting international and cross-cultural learning. Through the CLIC programs, we also aspire to strengthen academic relations between our universities and deepen the ties between our countries. The 1,000 CLIC alumni are equipped to advance the well-established relationships among the peoples of the two countries, and they will be the future of fruitful connections between Canada and China."
To celebrate the milestone and strengthen the program for future participants, the U of A hosted a workshop and reception for Canadian and Chinese universities during the annual Canadian Bureau for International Education conference in Ottawa on November 4. U of A President Bill Flanagan provided congratulatory remarks at the celebration on behalf of Canadian university members, noting that educational exchanges are an incredible foundation for building positive relationships, helping us to better understand the world and its complexities.
CLIC alumna and current U of A student Maryam Sekandary echoed these remarks, sharing a common sentiment among program alumni, “The most prominent takeaway from my experience is my appreciation for the shared values and aspirations that connect us all. Though my lab mates and I had different backgrounds and came from countries with distinct cultures, education served as a powerful bridge that allowed us to connect. We all understood that we seek for understanding and a better future regardless of our backgrounds.”