TRU celebrates graduates and expands partnerships in China
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is marking another milestone in its long-standing partnerships with Tianjin University of Technology (TUT) and Shanghai Institute of Technology (SIT), with convocation ceremonies recognizing this year’s graduates of joint programs.
This year, 80 students graduated from the TRU–TUT joint Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, bringing the program’s total number of graduates to nearly 3,080. At SIT, 52 students graduated from the TRU-SIT joint BBA program, contributing to a cumulative total of more than 1,050 graduates.
The ceremonies brought together senior leadership from TRU and its partner institutions, reflecting the strength and longevity of these collaborations. Representing TRU were President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Airini, Vice-President Students and Global Engagement Baihua Chadwick, and Interim Dean of TRU’s Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics, Dr. Ehsan Latif. Attendees also included senior representatives from SIT, including President Wang Xiaofan and Vice-President Mao Xiangdong, and from TUT, including President Chen Shengyong, Vice-Presidents Wang Tie and Ye Ning.
Together, these partnerships continue to deliver high-quality, globally focused education through co-taught programs offered in both English and Chinese. Students graduate with dual credentials that prepare them for international careers.
TRU President Dr. Airini and Shanghai Institute of Technology (SIT) President Wang Xiaofan exchange gifts to celebrate SIT’s convocation ceremony for joint BBA graduates.
Beyond celebrating student success, this year’s visit signals continued momentum in TRU’s international engagement.
As noted by SIT President Wang, “we wish both institutions continued success in strengthening our partnership and nurturing more outstanding students in the years ahead.”
The university is currently in discussions with TUT to expand its academic collaboration through a new Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management (MScEEM) pathway. The prospective agreement reflects a shared commitment to evolving programming that responds to global priorities and student demand.
TRU is also exploring new partnership opportunities in China as part of its broader international strategy.
TUT President Chen reflected on the partnership during the convocation and stated, “built on a foundation of mutual trust, we hope our two institutions will continue to grow together, achieve even greater success, and expand more high-quality collaborative programs in the future.”
“Building on the success of the BBA program, we see a strong foundation for what comes next,” said Chadwick. “Our partnerships continue to deepen, and we are excited to explore new opportunities together in graduate education, research collaboration, and academic exchange.”
Looking ahead, TRU’s international engagement will continue beyond China. The vice-president students and global engagement will travel to Vietnam to advance discussions with partner institutions, with a focus on expanding existing agreements and developing new pathways for student mobility and collaboration.
TRU’s long-standing partnerships with TUT and SIT remain central to its global strategy, demonstrating the impact of sustained collaboration in creating pathways for student success and strengthening connections between Canada and China.
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