Trent University Opens Innovative New Educational Leadership Centre in Wuxi China
School of Education at Trent University & Wuxi Foreign Language School create unique partnership for teachers in Canada and China through launch of new centre and programs
Trent University has taken its leadership in teacher education global through the creation of a new and innovative Educational Leadership Centre in China through a first-of-its-kind partnership between Trent’s School of Education and the Wuxi Foreign Language School.
“The launch of the Trent-Wuxi Educational Leadership Centre is a unique and multi-faceted partnership which will offer our Trent teacher candidates an opportunity to internationalize their degree at the same time that it offers teachers from Wuxi area a unique learning experience at Trent,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “We are looking forward to a partnership which will be a significant international initiative that will enhance opportunities for students, teachers and faculty in Peterborough and Wuxi.”
The new Educational Leadership Centre aims to become a global teaching hub, attracting teachers from China to study and learn together. Through the Centre, Trent’s renowned School of Education has created two innovative new programs for Chinese teachers – a credentialed graduate level diploma and an educational leadership certificate program. Both program options involve leading faculty of the School of Education at Trent teaching courses and workshops in China, online, and at Trent’s Peterborough campus.
The launch of the Educational Leadership Centre took place earlier this month during the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Wuxi Foreign Language School. Over 800 graduates and friends of the school were in attendance at the special ceremony and the event was broadcast via live stream and through local media. Dr. Cathy Bruce, dean of Education, Teaching and Learning at Trent, and Dr. Blair Niblett, director of the graduate program in Trent’s School of Education, were also in attendance to mark this special milestone and officially launch the Centre.
“Trent and Wuxi share a passion for education, and a common goal of enhancing student learning opportunities,” said Professor Bruce at the ceremony. “The main focus of the certificate program and coursework for the graduate diploma is the exploration of inquiry-based learning that promotes high student engagement and ownership in their learning. We are excited to see how the partnership has taken flight, with the first cohort of teachers already enrolled in this professional program.”
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
About Wuxi Foreign Language School
Located at the foot of Mount Xihui on the beautiful coast of Lake Taihu, Wuxi Foreign Language School was founded in 1998. The school cooperates with qualified schools abroad and integrates excellent international curriculum. The school offers multilingual courses such as German, French, Japanese and Spanish as well as the English program. It enrolls the children of talented entrepreneurial returnees, as well as students from foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. It is composed of a kindergarten, a primary school, a middle school, a high school and an international division with 7000 students and more than 500 staff including foreign and Chinese teachers who are devoted to teaching and serving educational standards. The school was crowned as the highest in the Senior High School Entrance Examination in 2014, 2015 and 2017. The school is always in the top number of high-achieving students and average scores.
For more information contact:
Kate Gennings, communications & media relations officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kategennings@trentu.ca
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