2 November 2011

Wales-China Education Consortium Benefits from Chinese Visit

The Wales-Chongqing Further Education Consortium welcomes the newly employed Grace Tan to Wales on her whirlwind tour of colleges this week, following the official launch of the Consortium by Wales’ First Minister in China last week.

Grace Tan is employed by CollegesWales (UK) International to represent the Further Education (FE) Consortium in Chongqing. She will provide continuity and momentum to partnerships that already exist between colleges in Wales and their counterparts in Chongqing and serve as a catalyst for the development of new partnerships that will be of mutual benefit to both countries.

Chair of the FE Consortium, Mr Bryn Davies, said: “Grace Tan has impeccable credentials, with an honours degree from a British University and having most recently worked as senior trade and investment officer for UK Trade and Investment - part of the British Consulate General in Chongqing. There, she helped UK companies expand their business in South West China.

“Grace has joined the Wales-Chongqing Further Education Consortium only recently but is already proving to be a great asset. Her communication and organisational skills have already been put to good use in organising the official launch of the Consortium in China and in introducing the Consortium to education agents based in China.”

The aims of the Wales-Chongqing Further Education Consortium include harnessing the expertise of colleges in Wales to assist in the ambitious economic and social expansion of Chongqing by providing relevant training, tailored courses, and consultancy support.

Wales’ learners, too, are set to benefit from the Consortium. Wales and Chongqing have much to learn from one another. The key focus for Chongqing is to raise the skills levels of its workforce including its burgeoning migrant population. The key focus for Wales is to establish an international mindset among our learners, broadening their horizons and improving their employment opportunities both in Wales and in the global marketplace. 

Key priorities for the Consortium include:

• Cultural exchanges between students in Wales and China
• International study options
• Work with counterparts in colleges in Chongqing to strengthen quality assurance systems and develop curriculum specialisms
• Explore the potential for in-company corporate training and the up-skilling of migrant workers and technicians in rapidly-developing Chongqing

Grace Tan said: “This is my first visit to Wales and I’ve been really taken with the very warm welcome I’ve received! I’m delighted to be able to visit each of the eleven colleges from all over Wales that make up the Wales-Chongqing Further Education Consortium. It makes for an exceptionally busy tour around the country, but there is a wonderful enthusiasm and momentum about the Consortium which makes it particularly worthwhile.

“The Consortium is an exciting development that brings to the Chinese audience a coherence and focus on Wales. The Consortium opens up a whole new window of opportunities and expertise for its Chongqing audience, encompassing A levels, the International Baccalaureate, technical specialisms and expertise in working with businesses. 

“In addition, given that Chongqing is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, the Consortium will also be a means of enthusing students from Wales to embrace the challenges of a global economy.” 
-------------------------------------Ends-------------------------------------

Contact: Sylvia Davies on 029 2052 8384 or 07968 771913.
Notes to editors:

1. ColegauCymru / CollegesWales is the national educational charity that represents all 20 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales. Its mission is to raise the profile of further education with key decision-makers to improve opportunities for learners in Wales. For further information about ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, and the colleges it represents, visit www.colegaucymru.ac.uk or www.collegeswales.ac.uk
2. CollegesWales (UK) International is a division of CollegesWales.  Its purpose is to work with other countries to offer more opportunities to learners, to broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations.
3. In June 2011, ten of Wales' further education colleges formed a Wales-Chongqing Further Education Consortium as part of CollegesWales (UK) International.
4. The further education institutions that comprise the consortium are: 

• Bridgend College
• Cardiff and Vale College
• Coleg Gwent
• Coleg Llandrillo Cymru
• Coleg Harlech WEA (N) and WEA (S) 
• Coleg Morgannwg   
• Coleg Powys
• Deeside College
• Gower College Swansea
• Yale College Wrexham
• Ystrad Mynach College

5. The Further Education Consortium employs Mandarin-speaking Grace Tan, who is based at the Welsh Government’s offices in Chongqing: Wales Government Office, Room 2808, Metropolitan Tower, Zourong Road, Central District, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China.

6. Pictured: Chair of the Wales-Chongqing Consortium, Bryn Davies; Consortium Officer in Chongqing, Grace Tan; CollegesWales' International Officer, Sian Holleran.