Cape Breton University Expands International Partnerships During Mission to China
Date Posted: Dec 5, 2025
This November, Cape Breton University concluded a successful trip to China, led by President and Vice-Chancellor, David C. Dingwall, resulting in a series of new and renewed partnerships designed to expand CBU’s academic footprint, strengthen international collaboration and create new opportunities for students in both countries.
“China has been an important partner in CBU’s international growth for almost 25 years,” says President Dingwall. “This mission reaffirmed our shared commitment to excellence in education, cultural exchange and global collaboration. These new agreements will create meaningful opportunities for Chinese students to study in Canada while expanding CBU’s reach as a globally connected institution.”
During the visit, President Dingwall and the CBU delegation met with several leading Chinese institutions to renew and formalize partnerships and explore new pathways for cooperation. The mission included engagements with Hebei University of Technology (HEBUT), Hunan University of Science and Technology (HNUST), Beijing Hospitality Institute (BHI), Henan Agricultural University (HAU) and the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSR), as well as a strategic meeting with the Ministry of Education in Beijing.
At HEBUT, CBU signed a new Memorandum of Understanding and Articulation Agreement to advance joint programming and academic quality assurance. The collaboration includes establishing unified English language proficiency requirements with the Cape Breton Language Centre serving as a key partner in language training.
At HNUST, CBU formalized a partnership focused on a Sino-Foreign Cooperative Bachelor of Engineering Technology program, while at BHI, an agreement was reached to support student mobility through a Block Advanced Standing Agreement into CBU’s Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program.
In addition, CBU and HAU established a comprehensive joint Bachelor of Business Administration Program, creating a dual-degree pathway with an annual enrolment target of 100 students, subject to Ministry of Education approval. President Dingwall also met with Dr. Xu Lin, Vice Minister in the Ministry of Education and the President of the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation, to discuss opportunities for further academic collaboration.
The mission also included a visit to Beijing Sport University, where President Dingwall met with BSU President Mr. Jian Zhang to discuss potential collaboration in sport education and high-performance training – an area where CBU continues to grow its national and international reputation.
Through these partnerships, CBU continues to position itself as a leader in international collaboration and a destination of choice for students seeking a high-quality Canadian education with a global perspective.