Trent's Leadership on the Global Environmental Stage Solidified
Three-member delegation on hand in China as International Institute for Environmental Studies hosts inaugural board meeting
The still ripening fruits of an international partnership forged between Trent University and China’s Nanjing University were recently experienced firsthand by Trent’s vice-president of research and innovation.
Dr. Neil Emery ventured in early November to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), joined by Dr. Douglas Evans, professor emeritus, School of the Environment. There, the International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES) welcomed HKUST as the newest partner in the initiative which sees leading research scientists, field experts, faculty, post-doctoral fellows and students from 18 universities in Asia, Europe and the Americas share their expertise, research and facilities towards the development of research and policy for the management of environmental issues.
“This type of high-level partnership reflects Trent’s strong global reputation in environmental studies; Trent is now soundly performing with the major players on the international environmental studies stage,” says Professor Emery.
For both current and future Trent students, Prof. Emery says the benefits of the partnership are as clear as they are substantial.
“Students have already been fully funded to attend workshops in Kuopio, Finland and Guangzhou, China with their supervisors where they are able to present their results to, and network with, world experts in the field,” he says. “Such experience is invaluable for development of students’ careers and for the opportunities that international networking provides.”
Also joining professors Emery and Evans for the trip was former Trent president and vice-chancellor Bonnie Patterson. The trio attended the inaugural IIES board meeting in Guangzhou, China – all three are board members – which established terms of reference, addressed strategic planning, and reviewed partnership recruitment efforts. In addition, they had a private dinner meeting with Trent alumnus and philanthropist Justin Chiu ‘76 to provide him with an IIES update as well as bring him up to speed on recent Trent developments and ongoing projects.