Brock University staff and faculty have spent several weeks this summer delivering in-person outreach activities in Vietnam, the Philippines and China.

Members of the Student Recruitment team, along with representatives from the Goodman School of Business and Professional and Continuing Studies, have been working to strengthen Brock’s presence in these strategically important regions.

The overseas itinerary, which took place in June and early July, included speaking engagements at international education conferences, partner appreciation events, student recruitment fairs and applicant receptions, as well as meetings with trade commissioners, education partners and private sector constituencies.

“Our international students and recruitment partners deeply appreciate the collaborative efforts we have undertaken with leaders from various units at Brock, allowing them to gain a comprehensive understanding of our University,” said Anna Guo, Associate Director of International Student Recruitment. “Given the intensifying competition, it is increasingly challenging to keep Brock top of mind for prospective students and partners in China. Trips like these allow us to demonstrate our commitment to welcoming students from this important market, while also diversifying our efforts into Southeast Asia in places like Vietnam and the Philippines.”

While in Vietnam, Guo and International Recruitment Officer Thuy Nguyen were joined by Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs and Goodman School of Business Professor Narongsak (Tek) Thongpapanl.

Working closely with global recruitment partners is essential for raising awareness among international students of Brock’s academic programs and supports, Thongpapanl said.

With one of Canada’s most diverse faculty complements, Goodman has a long history of developing international partnerships and welcoming significant numbers of international undergraduate and graduate students.

The Brock delegation met with students and parents at Yes Study in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

“Through these strategic engagement activities, we will continue to sharpen our intelligence and understanding of what prospective international students require in their higher education pursuits,” said Thongpapanl. “This, in turn, allows us to properly manage our academic products and services and, in doing so, we are better able to support their goals and dreams.”

Following time in Vietnam and the Philippines, Guo was joined in China by April-Dawn Blackwell, Brock’s Associate Vice-President, Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS), and in-country representative Joanna Chen.

The trip, which included visits to three cities in China to emphasize the University’s commitment to the country’s different geographic regions, provided an opportunity for staff to meet with high school students, parents, counsellors and agent partners to help illustrate the benefits of studying at Brock, specifically through English as a Subsequent Language (ESL) programs.

In addition to individual meetings with more than 70 partners that represent thousands of students, Blackwell, Guo and Chen attended a Canada Day celebration put on each year by the Canada-China Business Council. The event is attended by many post-secondary institutions and partners from across Canada. Brock also put on a partner reception in Beijing and an event for key partners in collaboration with the Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou with a focus on studying at the University.

“We are pleased to meet our current and prospective partners in China and prospective students to outline the commitment from Brock to offer high quality ESL programming for students and those committed to lifelong learning in Canada for professional growth,” said Blackwell. “We look forward to continuing our conversations and providing further opportunities between Brock University and learners from China and around the world.”

During their meetings with partners and students, Blackwell and Guo shared that Brock ESL is waiving the application fee for post-Gaokao students applying over the summer months to help reduce barriers to apply to study in Canada and support the transition to the University through the Intensive English Language Program beginning in the fall.

The ESL department has also designed scholarships to support post-Gaokao students in China who are interested in pursuing ESL and undergraduate programs at Brock University during the Fall and Winter terms. For more information on Brock’s ESL programs, please contact eslbrock@brocku.ca