Premier Dalton McGuinty has announced a new Ontario Trillium Scholarship for international students. He made the announcement Thursday at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, one of the final stops of his trade mission to China.

The new scholarship will provide 75 of the best students from around the globe with $40,000 each year for up to four years to pursue doctoral studies at an Ontario university. U of G has been allocated four of the scholarships.

During the initial four years, Ontario will invest $20 million to support the program, with participating universities contributing a further $10 million.

McGuinty says offering scholarships to the world’s brightest students will help Ontario universities compete with top international universities. This will help keep Ontario at the forefront of the global knowledge economy and strengthen academic, cultural and business ties with key markets around the world, he says. Increasing international enrolment in our universities is part of the McGuinty government’s Open Ontario Plan.

The Council of Ontario Universities has issued a news release about the new scholarship program.

The premier visited Shanghai, Nanjing and Hong Kong during the trade mission.

The premier’s mission to China took him to Shanghai, Nanjing and Hong Kong. It was intended to forge strong ties with financial institutions, universities and other firms. The goal is to open doors for Ontario businesses to compete in China and to attract Chinese investment in Ontario.