Apr 4, 2015
Chongqing, China – Langara has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the largest international foundational education system in China – Maple Leaf Educational Systems (MLES) – and has also announced a $50,000 scholarship program that will support MLES graduates pursuing their post-secondary education at the College.
MLES is a group of BC Offshore Schools in China with more than 15,000 students, and was also the first Canadian offshore foundational education (K to 12) school in that country. The MOU, signed by Langara President Dr. Lane Trotter and MLES Founder and Chairman Dr. Sherman Jen, highlights how Maple Leaf graduates can seamlessly be admitted into university studies at the College upon completion of the BC Grade 12 curriculum.
BC Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson oversaw the signing in Chongqing, and marked the occasion with the announcement of a $50,000 entrance scholarship program for Maple Leaf graduates who wish to pursue their studies at Langara. The scholarships – 10 awards of $5,000 each – will be funded jointly by the BC Government and the College.
“Students from China make up the largest segment of international students who recognize the value of a post-secondary education in British Columbia,” said Wilkinson. “Ten new scholarships will allow Maple Leaf graduates to work towards their education goals at Langara College, while they create important connections that will last a lifetime.”
"Langara’s relationship with Maple Leaf has provided a platform for hundreds of high quality students to pursue their post-secondary education in BC and to find great success,” said Dr. Trotter. “We are proud to formalize the partnership between our institutions, and excited to reward these excellent students with a remarkable scholarship opportunity. Many thanks to Minister Wilkinson and the Ministry for their support.”
“Each year large numbers of MLES graduates choose British Columbia, and specifically Langara College, for their post secondary studies,” said Dr. Jen. “MLES is proud to accept this scholarship on behalf of our very worthy students, and we know that it will help to support their future success and lifelong connections.”
The agreement was signed at a celebration of the 20th anniversary of MLES, which was established by Dr. Jen in 1995 with only 14 students. The event was part of a greater mission by BC’s Ministries of International Trade and Advanced Education. One of the goals of the mission is to highlight the BC education sector, and the pathways within the system that support student mobility.
About Langara
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path.
About Maple Leaf Education Systems (MLES)
MLES is the first Canadian offshore school foundational education system (K to 12) in China. Maple Leaf high schools are certified through the BC Government’s Global Education Program, and these offshore schools are located in seven cities throughout China (Dalian, Wuhan, Tianjin, Chongqing, Zhenjiang, Henan-Luoyang, and Shanghai). Since the first graduating class in 1999 nearly 7,000 students have graduated from MLES high schools, having met the requirements of the BC Ministry of Education and received the BC Dogwood Diploma.
Almost 70% of the graduates from MLES pursue post-secondary studies in Canada, and 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of Maple Leaf Educational Systems.
Media contact:
Annie Mullins
Communications Officer
Langara College
604.323.5058 | amullins@langara.bc.ca