Green Path

Shanghai, Toronto and other urban regions vital to prosperity, U of T President Meric Gertler tells Chinese audience

lavende4 — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 12:56:56 +0000

Shanghai, Toronto and other urban regions vital to prosperity, U of T President Meric Gertler tells Chinese audience

lavende4 Thu, 11/03/2016 - 08:56

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U of T President Meric Gertler with applicants for the U of T Scarborough Green Path program from Shanghai No.3 Girls’ High School (photo by Vinitha Gengatharan)

Terry Lavender

Andrew Zhao

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Terry Lavender and Andrew Zhao

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Global Lens

President Meric Gertler

China

Cities

Toronto

Urban centres such as Shanghai and Toronto are vital contributors to local and national prosperity, University of Toronto President Meric Gertler told a forum on innovation, creativity and urban regions in the populous Chinese city earlier this week.

In his latest trip to China, President Gertler has spoken at conferences in Shanghai and Beijing, visited alumni and prospective students, talked with Canadian embassy officials and met with Chinese university colleagues.

At the Shanghai forum, he was a keynote speaker.

Urban regions, he told the audience, “are recognized as sources of creativity and innovation, drivers of economic growth and resiliency.”

With a population of 24 million, Shanghai “exemplifies this better than perhaps anywhere on the globe," Gertler said.

Universities such as the University of Toronto and Shanghai Jiao Tong play an important role in this process, he said, noting that they “excel at producing, attracting and retaining talent.”

The relationship is symbiotic, he explained. Urban regions foster the development of world-class research institutions and universities, while universities foster world-class cities.

It is important, he said, for cities like Shanghai and Toronto to invest in the infrastructure that will attract talented people and institutions.

“Extraordinary things can happen when sustained and wise investment over many years builds infrastructure, brings together extraordinary talent and fosters connections among different fields, industries and leading global regions.”

After attending the conference, President Gertler visited Shanghai No.3 Girls’ High School, one of U of T’s Green Path affiliate schools.

Under the Green Path program, U of T Scarborough has established a partnership with 21 of the top high schools in China. Green Path is a 12-week summer preparatory program that invites top high school students from China to build their academic skills while adapting to life in Canada. Once students successfully complete the program, they go directly into first-year undergraduate studies at U of T.

Learn more about Green Path

Ted Sargent, U of T's vice-president international, accompanied President Gertler for part of the trip, reflecting the importance that U of T places on the region.

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Dean Glen Jones was also in China this past week. Jones was part of an international panel, conducting a review of Sun Yat-sen University (also known as Zhongshan University) for China’s Ministry of Education. He also met with education partners at Zhejiang Normal University in Hangzhou, visited with alumni and spoke at a forum on world-class universities.

During his visit, President Gertler also took time out to photobomb a Shanghai wedding, go sightseeing and enjoy some of the local cuisine.

Photobombing a wedding outside the President's office at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (President Zhang to the left of the bride) #UofT #uoftalumni

A photo posted by Meric Gertler (@uoftpres) on Oct 30, 2016 at 12:33am PDT

Shanghai skyline by night #UofT #uoftalumni

A photo posted by Meric Gertler (@uoftpres) on Oct 31, 2016 at 9:33pm PDT

Shanghai lunch- steamed pork buns at Nan Xiang! #UofT #uoftalumni

A photo posted by Meric Gertler (@uoftpres) on Oct 30, 2016 at 9:58pm PDT

With His Worship Yang Xiong, Mayor of Shanghai (R) and Prof Jiang Sixian (L), Chairman, SJTU #UofT #uoftalumni

A photo posted by Meric Gertler (@uoftpres) on Oct 29, 2016 at 6:27pm PDT

PhD student Asif Farooq, the founding managing editor of U of T's China Open Research Network, had some sightseeing suggestions for President Gertler in Beijing.

“Given that the President has a background in geography, I think he would like to visit Beijing's hutongs [narrow alleys which are home to many old, traditional courtyard residences]. Hutongs have been restored as tourist attractions,” Farooq told U of T News writer Andrew Zhao.

“Walking through the alleys can give him a glimpse of the old Beijing, and discovering restaurants tucked inside those alley corners could be a fun experience. He could find some of the pubs inside hutongs fascinating given most have a courtyard with ancient rooftops. Figuring out the past dynasties’ influence on those rooftop architectures could be a pleasant endeavour for any curious mind.”

U of T student volunteers with China’s “left behind” children

sgupta — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 06:34:11 +0000

U of T student volunteers with China’s “left behind” children sgupta Tue, 09/29/2015 - 02:34

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“Maybe it will help ease their pain,” says Gu Xiaoyan. “Every little bit counts.”

Don Campbell

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Kids love the music, but more instruments are needed

Gu Xiaoyan is using his love of music to help ease some of the pain felt by China’s “left behind” children.

“Music has brought me a lot of happiness in life,” says the second-year computer science student, who spent the summer in China teaching music to children with limited physical, educational and financial means.

“I hope I can pass on a bit of that happiness to children who are in need.”

Gu was inspired to help after seeing a UNICEF video about the issue. “It broke my heart to see these children suffering,” he says.

While estimates vary, the United Nations estimates more than 61 million children have been “left behind” across the country. Most have little or no contact with their parents and have been traumatized as a result. Many suffer from depression and a host of other mental health challenges.

It was such an emotional experience for Gu – who came to U of T as part of the Green Path Program – that he decided he needed to do something about it. So he set about raising funds by teaching music lessons and selling his music. He was able to buy 30 ukuleles that he brought with him to teach children in Chongqing, China.

His passion for music runs deep. In addition to the guitar, ukulele, djembe (African drum), ocarina (vessel flute) and harmonica, Gu can also play traditional Chinese instruments including two types of bamboo and vessel flutes.

He was never much into video games as kid, so whenever he was feeling lonely he would pick up an instrument and play. It became a form of therapy. Gu, whose given name Xiaoyan means "smile," hopes to bring a smile to the faces of the children he’s working with.

“I think it’s in our nature to enjoy music, but there are important therapeutic benefits to it as well,” he says. “Sometimes the joy of learning music is taken out of it by repetitive or strict lessons. I try to make it fun, as a way to help these children take their minds off what they’re going through.”

Unfortunately, when Gu got to Chongqing he soon found out he didn’t have enough ukuleles. Each day he witnessed children outside the classroom windows staring in at the lessons inside.

“If I can raise more money and bring back volunteers who can help teach these children different instruments, maybe they can learn different types of music that appeals to them,” Gu says.

“Maybe it will help ease their pain. Every little bit counts.”

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Canada needs to re-think how it engages with China, says former ambassador

sgupta — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 13:44:12 +0000

Canada needs to re-think how it engages with China, says former ambassador sgupta Fri, 10/10/2014 - 09:44

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David Mulroney (left) and (right) Bruce Kidd, interim principal and vice-president UTSC (photo by Ken Jones)

Don Campbell

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Don Campbell

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Global Lens

Green Path

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Green Path: 10 years of helping students from China adjust to university

sgupta — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:02:50 +0000

Green Path: 10 years of helping students from China adjust to university sgupta Mon, 08/18/2014 - 07:02

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Graduating students from the 2014 Green Path class (all photos by Ken Jones)

Don Campbell

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Don Campbell

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Program celebrates more than 1,400 graduates over past decade

When Kobe Sun and Camellia Tian reflect on their time in the Green Path program, the memories go beyond building academic skills or adjusting to life in a new country.

It was during a Green Path class trip to Wonderland in 2010 that the couple met and began dating. They are now happily married.

“It’s such a great program because it made the transition to a new country so much easier,” says Sun, who graduated from the University of Toronto Scarborough with a degree in computer science and now works at Amazon Canada. “But the trip we took to Wonderland will always stick out as something special,” he says with a smile.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of UTSC’s Green Path program, a 12-week summer preparatory program that invites top high school students from China to build their academic skills while adapting to life in Canada. Once students successfully complete the program, they go directly into first-year undergraduate studies at U of T.

To celebrate the anniversary, delegates from the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China, Bank of China Canada and U of T’s School of Continuing Studies attended this year's graduation. The ceremony included live musical and dance performances; scholarships were also awarded to 14 students.

“Green Path is a reflection of the increasingly connected and diversified world we live in,” said UTSC Interim Principal Bruce Kidd (pictured at right with Consul General Fang Li). “Each student brings with them a valued perspective that serves to strengthen and enrich our understanding of our complex world. I encourage you to learn from each other as you become responsible, mature and socially-conscious adults.”

When the program began 10 years ago, most of the students were enrolled in business administration, computer science or math programs. Today, the newest group represents a wide range of academic disciplines including 120 students who are enrolled in various science programs, 92 in business administration (including management co-op) and 42 who are enrolled in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

More than 1,400 students have completed the program since its inception in 2005. Many of the students go on to achieve a high level of academic success at U of T, with all of the students earning at least a 3.00 GPA or higher. (Read more about some of Green Path's groundbreaking graduates.)

For 16-year-old Linwen Huang the memories made over the past few months are just the beginning. Her academic journey begins in earnest in just a few weeks, when she starts her undergraduate studies in business management.

“Green Path is like a family and it’s made me feel very comfortable about coming to a new city and a new country for the first time,” she says. “It’s been an awesome experience and I can’t wait to start the semester.”

Don Campbell is a writer with the University of Toronto Scarborough.

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Convocation 2014: from Green Path to PhD program

sgupta — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 10:14:04 +0000

Convocation 2014: from Green Path to PhD program sgupta Wed, 06/11/2014 - 06:14

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UTSC's Serena Song hopes to become a professor (photo by Ken Jones)

Chris Garbutt

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Co-op student jumps from undergrad to doctoral studies

When Serena Song was a high school student in Jinan, China, the last thing on her mind was a career in academia.

“I wanted to start a business and make money,” she says with a laugh.

But today, Song, a fourth-year Management student, is headed to the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School to get her PhD in Accounting. And her goal now is to be a professor.

Song came to the University of Toronto Scarborough through the Green Path program. The 12-week program helps students from China adjust to life and study in Canada. The students experience a Canadian-style classroom environment, which includes the expectation of active participation. They also work on academic skills such as English reading, writing and grammar, and get help as they adapt to life in Canada. Once students successfully complete the program, they go directly into first-year undergraduate studies at U of T.

After completing the Green Path program, Soong was admitted to the Management Co-op program in Finance. During her time as an undergraduate, she did well in all her courses, but was most excited by her work as a teaching assistant and as a research assistant.

As a teaching assistant in B- and C-level economics and finance courses, she found she enjoyed seeing students develop.

“I liked connecting with the students,” she says. “It’s so fulfilling to help them solve their problems.”

That passion for problem solving extended to her research work at UTSC. She participated in two projects, both supervised by Professor Ling Cen. The first was an examination of the different information roles of sell-side and buy-side financial analysts in earnings conference calls. The other investigated how adding historical information about a company to sites like Wikipedia can affect the company’s stock price.

“I loved seeing how dedicated our team members were,” Song says.

At the Simon School, Song will be researching the diffusion of corporate governance mechanisms along the supply chain. She’ll examine why and how different companies in the supply chain develop similar forms of governance.

“It’s very rare for an undergraduate to go straight into a PhD,” says Cen. “She has worked really hard and is a great example for other students.”

This wasn’t the only offer she had, but Song cites the Simon School’s prestige, long history and its proximity to Toronto as the reasons for her choice.

“I’m nervous, but I think my past experience shows I’m a quick learner,” she says.

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Growth of Green Path program at U of T reflected in academic diversity of students

sgupta — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 13:09:47 +0000

Growth of Green Path program at U of T reflected in academic diversity of students sgupta Wed, 06/04/2014 - 09:09

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Green Path is a 12-week program at UTSC that helps students from China adjust to life and study in Canada (photo by Ken Jones)

Don Campbell

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Don Campbell

As UTSC’s Green Path program continues to grow, its success is being reflected in the diversity of academic disciplines represented by its students.

“It’s remarkable and truly speaks to the maturity of the program,” says Rick Halpern, UTSC dean and vice-principal. “When the program began we couldn’t even dream it would become this successful.”

Green Path is a 12-week program that helps students from China adjust to life and study in Canada. The students experience a Canadian-style classroom environment, which includes the expectation of active participation. They also work on academic skills such as English reading, writing and grammar, and get help as they adapt to life in Canada. Once students successfully complete the program, they go directly into first-year undergraduate studies at U of T.

When it began ten years ago, most of the students were enrolled in business administration, computer science or math programs. Today, the newest group represents a wide range of academic disciplines including 120 enrolled in various science programs, 95 in business administration including management co-op and 42 enrolled in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Halpern was on hand to help welcome 259 new students – the largest cohort since its inception in 2005 – during the opening session held on May 26.

“What started out as a student recruitment program with a narrow focus has blossomed into something much greater,” says Halpern. He points to UTSC’s joint environmental protection and climate change research with Northwest University located in Xi'an city, Shaanxi Province, strengthening of the Mandarin language program on campus and the addition of new courses focused on Chinese politics, history and culture as proof of its enduring legacy.

In addressing the new cohort Halpern praised the foundation of academic success laid by Green Path graduates over the past ten years.

“Many of the graduates have gone on to do great things including graduate school, professional school and success in the workforce,” he told the students. “It’s a privilege to be able to follow in their footsteps and we will be here to help you every step of the way.”

President Gertler reflects on visit to China

sgupta — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 09:13:20 +0000

President Gertler reflects on visit to China sgupta Thu, 12/19/2013 - 04:13

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President Meric Gertler and Vice-President, University Relations Judith Wolfson chat with Rotman School of Management alumni during their visit to China (photo by Jacky Zhang)

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New scholarship opportunities for Green Path students

sgupta — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 13:50:28 +0000

New scholarship opportunities for Green Path students sgupta Fri, 08/16/2013 - 09:50

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Green Path valedictorian Jiaru Li (photo by Ken Jones)

Don Campbell

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Don Campbell

The 225 students who graduated August 15 from Green Path at the University of Toronto Scarborough are part of the largest cohort since the program began nine years ago.

"Green Path created an atmosphere for us to get used to life in Canada," says Jiaru Li, valedictorian. "We got opportunities to do basic things like buying a coffee, ordering food and communicating with people on a daily basis that seem easy but are so important."

The 12-week summer preparatory program invites top high school students from China to build academic skills while allowing them to adapt to life in Canada.

"I learned in Canada that there's a big emphasis on developing your own ideas in class and less of an emphasis of memorization of facts alone," said Yueyang Liu. "It was a very interesting experience."

Lida Tan agreed: "Getting familiar with the classroom environment is so important, especially academic formats like APA. But getting used to the TTC and even communicating with people in daily situations has been a big help."

Designed to prepare students for undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, the unique program has also attracted significant new scholarships and co-op opportunities for its participants.

“Green Path has matured from the time we started with only 15 students to the point where we are recruiting top students from all over China,” said Jack Martin, director of business development and international programs at UTSC.

Ten new scholarships were awarded to students at the recent graduation ceremony (pictured right).

The scholarships, made possible by a $450,000 commitment over three years by E Fund Education Foundation in Guangzhou, China, are the first to be given by the foundation to students studying outside China. This scholarship is available in addition to two Jiangsu scholarships made available by the Nanjing New City Group in China.

The program’s success has played an important role in deepening the relationship between UTSC and the People’s Republic of China, leading to co-op opportunities for Green Path students with companies all over China including the Bank of China, State Grid and Nanjing New City Group.

“UTSC has worked to establish meaningful relationships with government, business and education leaders in China to ensure our Green Path students get off to a great start in Canada,” said UTSC Principal Franco Vaccarino. “I am personally delighted to see the program’s continued growth.”

Many of the students go on to achieve a high level of academic success at U of T, with more than 50 per cent earning a 3.20 GPA or higher. (Read more about Green Path).

"We've just started on a new journey, on a new beginning and we can all go forward knowing we are prepared to succeed," said Jiaru Li. "I am a different person from the time I started the program. We are all better for having done it."

Don Campbell is a writer with the University of Toronto Scarborough.

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Convocation 2013: Chinese students take Green Path to success

sgupta — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:18:43 +0000

Convocation 2013: Chinese students take Green Path to success sgupta Wed, 06/12/2013 - 04:18

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Dai He, Xin Qi and Mengtian Bao (photo by Ken Jones)

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UTSC welcomes its largest group of Green Path students

sgupta — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:18:25 +0000

UTSC welcomes its largest group of Green Path students sgupta Wed, 05/29/2013 - 08:18

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Students in the Green Path program this year hail from 76 high schools in 36 different cities and towns in the People's Republic of China (photo by Don Campbell)

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The University of Toronto Scarborough is welcoming a record number of top students from the People’s Republic of China to Green Path, a program that prepares them for post-secondary studies in Canada.

Green Path is a unique 12-week academic and English as a Second Language program that readies students for undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto.

In addressing the fresh cohort Professor Rick Halpern, UTSC dean and vice-principal, emphasized the exciting challenges and opportunities that lay ahead of them.

“You are about to start a unique journey of four years where you will have the opportunity to make your dreams come true,” said Halpern. “This is your education, so take full advantage of your opportunity to master fields of knowledge and scholarship under our world class faculty.”

Those recruited for the Green Path program are top students from various high schools in mainland China. This year 225 students from 23 different provinces will participate, making it the largest number of entrants in the program since its inception in 2005.

“The program is very unique because it is designed to help us to transform from high school graduates in China to freshman university students ready for life in Canada,” said Ivy Shen, current UTSC student and president of the Green Path Association.

Shen enrolled in the program in 2012 and notes her fellow students take the program very seriously because of the opportunity it affords them to acquire language skills and information about Canadian culture.

“It’s also a very important program to us in the sense that it provides us with an opportunity to go to U of T for our post-secondary education, which is very hard for any high school graduate in China.”

The summer foundation program is a core component of Green Path, which translates from Chinese as ‘the way to success,’ is taught in partnership with faculty members from the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies’ English Language program.

The students live in UTSC residence over the summer while participating in a range of social activities and field trips to popular tourist sites in Toronto and the GTA. They also receive life-skill training including cooking and food safety, as well as information on personal safety, health services and transit.

Students also get to experience the different classroom etiquette and teaching styles in Canada, including instructions on how to use the library system, access academic support, and avoid plagiarism. In addition to working on academic skills such as reading, writing, grammar, and listening to and speaking English, they also get help as they adapt to life in Canada. Once students successfully complete the program they go directly into first-year undergraduate studies at U of T.

More than 1,100 students have graduated from the program since its inception with many of the graduates going on to achieve high levels of academic success at U of T.

“You are part of a select group that has been chosen to further your education at one of the top schools in North America,” said Halpern in closing. “For every ounce of effort you put into your studies we will match it with support and a top rate educational experience.”

Green Path program by the numbers:

1,189 Green Path students since 2005
613 Green Path students currently enrolled at U of T
225 students enrolled in 2013 program
Students represent 23 different Provinces/Municipalities or Autonomous Regions
Students represent 36 different cities or towns, from 76 distinct high schools
50% - percentage of Green Path students with a 3.20 GPA or higher

Don Campbell is a writer with the University of Toronto Scarborough.

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