Canadian University Projects in International Development Database (CUPID)

Asia

China

• Management of Sustainable Agriculture
• Flooding Control, Ecological Protection and Sustainable Development in China
• Building capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS in China
• Entreprenariat : Université-industrie

Flooding Control, Ecological Protection and Sustainable Development in China

Project purpose:
The project aimed to strengthen the capacity of Peking University and Wuhan University to carry out research and education programs to protect the environment and prevent floods.

Key results to date:
Through workshops, teaching and research projects, more than 270 scholars and professionals working in regional government land and water resource offices and institutes have been trained in policy formation, advocacy and strategic analysis. Some 53 trainees have enhanced their skills through training-the-trainer programs developed for professionals working in the field. These training and research programs have allowed Chinese partners to study Canadian models for water resource management and adapt them to specific contexts in China. The project has led to the establishment in China of the China-Canada Center for Energy, Environment and Ecology Research, the China-Canada Center for Grassland Ecosystem Research and the Sino-Canada Center of Desertification Research. Information centres have also been established at the Chinese partner universities.

Management of Sustainable Agriculture

Project purpose:
The project aimed to help the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) increase its institutional capacity and fulfill its teaching, research and technical training responsibilities in the management of sustainable agriculture in such areas as agricultural business practices; bio-remediation; environment and sustainable development; socioeconomics; and women in agricultural development.

Key results to date:
Through the various project initiatives, participants explored an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable development in the agriculture sector including such topics as the bio-remediation of pesticides in agricultural soils; sustainable development and environmental planning; electronic commerce; and women's participation in and contributions to the agriculture sector. FAFU trainees have contributed curriculum development ideas for their courses with input from Canadian team members and have designed an integrated course that addresses introductory issues in sustainable agriculture and incorporates all the components of the project. The Centre for Studies in Women in Agriculture has been established and has become an official research institution at FAFU. The Tea Garden Project is providing project participants with hands-on experience in the scientific, business and social science techniques and analytical tools that contribute to sustainable agriculture.

Building capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS in China

Project purpose:
The project will enhance China's capacity to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by supporting the development of the West China School of Public Health at Sichuan University (SU) as a centre of excellence in the design and delivery of comprehensive, high quality educational programs. It will also enhance SU's capacity to contribute to policy changes at the national level for improving the reach and quality of HIV/AIDS-related prevention and care programming.

Key results to date:
To strengthen SU's undergraduate and graduate public health programming, faculty and curriculum have been strengthened. Thirty-four (22 F) faculty members from SU participated in workshops on needs assessment concepts and methods, mapping of HIV/AIDS high risk populations, and program design and implementation. Twenty (9 F) more completed exposure visits at the University of Manitoba's HIV/AIDS program facilities in India. Three surveillance research and implementation courses were submitted for approval to SU and the contents of two key seminars on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control were developed and translated into Chinese. Over 260 students participated in the first seminar series and 55 local public health workers also participated in a workshop on the same topic. To help empower vulnerable groups and increase interaction between SU faculty, public health officials and high risk populations the team has identified four locations for field-based training centres (FBTS). The first FBTS was established in 2009 and two more are planned for 2011. So far, 14 students, eight faculty and seven public health workers have undertaken field-based training in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

Entreprenariat : Université-industrie

Project purpose:
The objective of the project was to assist Harbin University of Science and Technology (HUST) to modernize its teaching methods and develop new practice-focused approaches suited to the growing needs of the new Chinese economy.

Key results to date:
The project strengthened the skills of Chinese faculty; helped to update a course and develop new ones; created the Centre for Cooperation and Development of Advanced Technologies at HUST; developed and furnished an automation and control laboratory; set up a variety of communication vehicles to facilitate language training and electronic information exchange; created a relationship between HUST, three Canadian businesses and local businesses involved with HUST; and started a new company in partnership with a Canadian firm. As a result of the project, HUST has been able to build a solid reputation at the provincial and even national levels.