University of Guelph president Franco Vaccarino heads to China today as part of an agri-food trade mission organized by the Ontario government.
The mission, which runs until April 25, will be led by Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal and Michael Chan, minister of citizenship, immigration and international trade.
The visit will focus on new opportunities for the province’s agri-food sector, including expanding its brand, and diversifying and seeking out new markets and business connections.
Currently, the majority of Ontario’s agri-food exports go to the United States and Europe. China is Ontario’s second-largest trading partner, with agri-food sales to the country worth $832 million in 2014.
The mission will include representatives from 20 organizations and businesses; Vaccarino is the only university president participating.
The delegates will promote Ontario as a North American leader in education, trade and investment.
“This is a strategic opportunity to promote the University and our unique relationship with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA),” Vaccarino said.
Under a longstanding enhanced partnership, the University manages research and education programs and related facilities supported by annual funding from the Ontario government.
“The mission also broadens our international strategy, helping make sure that our professors are well-connected in China and the region.”
Delegates will meet with government, business and education leaders in Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Shouguang and Hong Kong.
During the mission, Leal and Vaccarino will make a special trip to the Wuxi campus of Jiangnan University to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. Future collaborations may include student and faculty exchanges and joint research opportunities.
“I am very pleased that Dr. Vaccarino is joining us on our 2015 Agri-Food Trade Mission to China,” Leal said.
“The University of Guelph is well-respected across the globe for its contributions to agricultural education and food science. U of G and Jiangnan University in China have a successful partnership in place and I look forward to seeing how that partnership develops and what new opportunities are created during our mission to China.”
Vaccarino will also meet with officials from the Chinese academies of agricultural sciences, sciences, social sciences and engineering, as well as other business and industry representatives.
Other mission delegates include officials from Ontario Pork, Beef Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, R.D. Legault Seeds Ltd., and Pelee Island and Pillitteri Estates wineries.
This mission follows a China trip last fall by Chan; Ontario Premier Katheen Wynne and Brad Duguid, minister of development, employment and infrastructure.