Thursday, October 25, 2012, Peterborough
A Trent University delegation in China, led by Dr. Neil Emery, vice-president of research & international, signed a collaboration agreement with Nanjing University, one of China’s most prestigious universities, on Monday, October 22, 2012.
The agreement is primarily focused in environmental sciences education and research, and brings together one of China’s top universities in this area with Trent University, which is among the top universities in North America for environmental sciences research and education.
“Trent University is honoured to enter into this agreement with such a prestigious institution as Nanjing University,” said Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor. “This initiative is in harmony with Trent's Academic Plan and Strategic Mandate Agreement, as a significant international partnership in our signature area of Sustainability and the Environment. Dr. Douglas Evans, professor in Environmental and Resource Studies, is congratulated for his initiative in engaging international graduate students, post-doctoral students and colleagues around the world.”
The agreement sets the stage for the eventual establishment of a Nanjing-Trent Institute for the Environment, with the goal of implementing a world-class centre for student education, environmental research, and for industry and government partners seeking innovative solutions to global environmental challenges.
Nanjing University’s School of the Environment is one of the university’s most dynamic and innovative academic units. Its interdisciplinary curriculum distinguishes it in China, and makes a partnership with Trent’s Environmental Sciences and Sustainability programs a natural fit. Likewise, Trent research faculty, recognized as leaders in their fields are well-positioned to collaboratively engage counterparts in Nanjing.
Trent University distinguished alumnus, Mr. Justin Chiu ‘76, has long recognized the need for environmental problem-solving in China. His ancestral links to the Nanjing area and his respect for his alma mater’s excellence in environmental science resulted in his making a leading gift to encourage the development of this relationship, and to seed the development of an institute that will benefit both Nanjing, Trent, and other universities, as well as scientists, government and industry partners around the world. Mr. Chiu was able to join the Trent delegation in Nanjing for the MOU signing ceremony.
A cornerstone of the Trent-Nanjing alliance will be research projects conducted at the renowned Trent Water Quality Centre. “Trent University is pleased to provide its water quality expertise and laboratory facilities to build a globally significant partnership with Nanjing University. We are extremely pleased that Nanjing University has entered into a broad agreement with Trent, an agreement which will include the exchange of student and faculty researchers, and co-ordination of an international environmental sciences symposium, which will alternate annually between Nanjing and Peterborough,” said Dr. Neil Emery, vice-president, research & international.
Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2012.