The President of Cape Breton University, Dr. David Dingwall, visited Sias International University on November 13. Dr. Dingwall, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the university, was accompanied by a delegation that included the Vice Principal, Dr. Richard Mackinnon, the Dean of Cape Breton University's Shannon School of Business, Dr. George Karaphillis, Associate Professor at the Shannon School of Business, Dr. John Mackinnon, Professor of Accounting, Dr. James Hayes, and the Special Advisor to the President, Bob Liu (Liu Bo).

The delegation was welcomed by the Marching Band, with an official welcoming ceremony at the southern end of the Central Fountain Square in front of the Administration Building. After a formal lunch, Dr. Dingwall was interviewed by the Sias News Center, during which he spoke of the relationship between Canada and China, Cape Breton University and Sias International University, and congratulated Sias on its 20th Anniversary. [Interview transcript below]

Following a tour of the Sias Library, the delegation came to the lecture hall in the administration building for a signing ceremony. At the ceremony, Sias President, Chen Sikun, delivered a speech and welcomed the guests. He spoke highly of Cape Breton University's expertise with regard to literature, technology, and trade, and said that the cooperation between the two universities reflected Sias' growing reputation as an international university.

Dr. Dingwall spoke of his pleasure and being able to address the students present. He said that he was delighted to be a part of the incredible phenomenon of international education and said that it was at the forefront of what was important to not only China but the rest of the world. He said that Canada and China had a long-standing relationship and spoke of the fact that Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was the first Western leader to recognize the People's Republic of China into the order of nations in 1969. Since then, Canada and China had enjoyed a warm relationship, with similar values and concerns for climate, international trade, and international cooperation. Canada and China had been able to forge an incredible relationship, and over the years it had grown in cultural exchanges, diplomatic exchanges, and a variety of important subject matters. Therefore, he said, Cape Breton University was delighted to have a relationship with Sias, thereby building an international approach to solving problems. Innovation and entrepreneurship could add immeasurably to the focus on the future relationship. He concluded his speech by thanking Sias on behalf of the Board of Governors of Cape Breton University and saying that he was looking forward to working with Sias in the years ahead.

Chen Sikun and Dr. Dingwall then signed an International Education Cooperation Agreement on behalf of the two universities. The Agreement provides for the exchange and training of faculty, student exchanges, cooperation in academic research, and cooperation in education. This builds on a previous agreement signed by Cape Breton University and Sias in May 2018.

Dr. David Dingwall had a long and distinguished career in the Canadian Government. He was a member of the Canadian Parliament from 1980 to 1997, and served as the Minister of Health, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Canada Post, Minister of Canada Mortgage & Housing, the President & CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint, and served on several cabinet committees including the Treasury Board.

Dr. David Dingwall Interview Transcript

Question

During your extensive and distinguished career in the Canadian government, what were the efforts that you made to increase ties between China and Canada?

Dr. Dingwall

As you probably know, Canada and China have a long-standing relationship. In fact, in the late 60s, [with] former Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Trudeau, (Pierre Elliott Trudeau), [Canada] was the first country in the developed world to recognize China and the importance it could play on the world stage. I served with Mr. Trudeau, not at that time, but in later years. So there's been that relationship. Of course, Norman Bethune - that relationship with China has always existed. But I had the great fortune, as a Canadian minister, to consummate two major government agreements, one was in the field of healthcare, and the second one was with regard to housing and housing supplies. I had some wonderful exchanges with representatives of the Chinese government at the federal state level as we embarked on these types of programs. One of the things I tried, [it] wasn't successful, but I tried to get them to adopt my non-tobacco legislation which was passed by the World Health Organization (WHO). It has been a very interesting, a very warm relationship that I've had with China. And I hope the Chinese would say the same about me.

Question

What are the motivating factors for the signing of the agreement between Cape Breton University and Sias? And how do you see the ties between the two universities deepening in the future?

Dr. Dingwall

I think there are a couple of things. China is an emerging power in the world. We have, secondly, a great relationship with China, and we have that relationship for a variety of additional reasons. Number one, our values in terms of recognizing the challenges with climate change. We are not strategic competitors in any sense of the word. We have a booming tourism trade. And our foodstuff, both from a supply perspective as well as from a security aspect, we think are very important. So those are some of the foundations that we have.

On the post-secondary education front, this [Sias] is a great institution. It has a remarkable track record. We appreciate, we admire the innovation, the entrepreneurship. And, of course, as a university in Canada, in the Eastern part of the country, we're very innovative and very entrepreneurial. We recognize as I think your President [Dr. Shawn Chen] has recognized, the significance that sports can play in the development of a young mind, as well as music and the performing arts. We think they are very substantial things, in terms of young people embracing. I think from that value concept, we are both on the same page. So we hope to have students from China come to us, as well as Canadian students come to this great university.

Question

Sias is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Do you have any special messages for the teachers and students on this occasion?

Dr. Dingwall

I think they are in a real sweet spot, this great university. It's 20 years. It's international in its focus. The world needs more internationalism. If you just recognize what the President of France said about the Armistice which was signed 100 years ago, which was reaffirmed. We need more 'international', and this university provides that perspective to problems, but more importantly, to solutions. I think with that kind of DNA that you have here at this university, it needs to be celebrated, and that's why at the 20th anniversary [celebrations] we hope to be here in some capacity, to share in that celebration. But also to reiterate the significance that that has, not only for China, not only for Canada but indeed the world. I think the world desperately needs these kinds of universities.