INFORMATION BULLETIN

2010ALMD0057-001287 Oct. 19, 2010

Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development

 

EDUCATION, INNOVATION FOCUS OF TRAVEL TO ASIA, ISRAEL

 

VANCOUVER – Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Moira Stilwell will be travelling to China and Vietnam to continue to develop and promote relationships with British Columbia’s educational institutions, and will then travel to Israel to meet with government and industry leaders in technology transfer.

 

Asia is a key market for British Columbia, with international students bringing more than $1.6 billion per year into B.C.’s economy, and creating about 21,000 jobs. Last year, approximately 70 per cent of the international students in B.C. came from Asia Pacific countries.

 

The government of Vietnam is currently working to restructure their post-secondary education system, including vocational, teacher, and English-language training. Education is now Canada’s number-one export to Vietnam, with rapid growth and potential at both the K-12 and post-secondary levels.

 

Israel currently ranks second in the world for the successful transfer of technology from universities to industries. This trip is an opportunity to discuss Israel’s approach to technology transfer, and to look at a number of collaborative projects already underway between B.C. and Israeli institutions, including research on prostate cancer and spinal cord injuries.

 

Stilwell will be in China and Vietnam from Oct. 20 to Oct. 30, and in Israel from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7, 2010.

 

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Media Contact:

Lisa Tees Communications Manager Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development 250 952-6400 250 888-3466 (cell)

 

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