I am pleased to announce that L. Philippe Rheault has been appointed to the role of Director of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, for a five-year term, effective September 1, 2023.
Mr. Rheault, a lawyer and Canadian diplomat, has spent the last 25 years working on China and Asia-Canada relations, a diplomatic career that has included five postings to China (to Beijing, Taipei, Chongqing (twice), and Guangzhou). He has headed two of Canada’s four missions in mainland China, as Canada’s first Consul General to Chongqing, and most recently as Consul General of Canada in Guangzhou. He has also been Principal Adviser for Asia to two federal Ministers of International Trade. In these capacities, he has witnessed first-hand China’s extraordinary rise over the last 25 years, has hosted the Prime Minister and Governors General, as well as provided advice to a wide cross-section of leaders in business, academia, and civil society.
We are extraordinarily fortunate to be able to bring Philippe’s networks and deep experience of China and Asia to the China Institute, to continue to build on its strong reputation for advancing understanding of China’s role in the world. Philippe also looks forward to working with Colleges and Faculties to grow China-related teaching and research at the University of Alberta.
I want to thank Jia Wang for her strong and stable leadership in the role of Interim Director of the China Institute, and Director Emeritus Gordon Houlden for continuing to support the Institute’s mission since his retirement in December 2020. I also want to thank all those who provided advice and support to this important search.
Please join me in welcoming Philippe to the University of Alberta and congratulating him on his new role.
Verna Yiu
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)