Global Learning Summer Program

The Global Learning Summer Program is a 2-week customized summer program offered to students from Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), and Harbin Engineering University (HEU). The purpose of the program is to provide a unique learning opportunity for students to explore our vibrant campus and province and to engage with concepts related to global citizenship.

The integrated intensive program will include approximately 27 hours of academic lectures and field trips, 10 hours of review and project time, and a cross-cultural seminar consisting of 4 hours. Also included in the program are cultural-immersion activities and an optional recreational weekend trip to the Rocky Mountains.

Academic Component

The curriculum for this program will be customized to meet the content requirements of BIT's Global Learning & Cultural Exchange course, integrating classroom lectures and field trips related to lecture topics.


Project Component

The program will allow students to apply their learning by working on a presentation which will be delivered by the end of the two weeks.


Cross-Cultural Seminar Component

An understanding of cross-cultural nuances is an essential part of becoming a global citizen. UAI's cross-cultural training seminars aim to help students broaden their understanding of Canadian culture and help them perform successfully both socially and academically in international settings.


Cultural and Recreational Component

While in Edmonton, students will also have the opportunity to explore Edmonton and interact with Canadian culture through planned social and recreational activities.


Guest Speakers

Dr. Rafiq Ahmad

Dr. Rafiq Ahmad has joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta in May 2016. He has established and leading research in the Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing, Design and Automation (LIMDA) Click to visit LIMDA.

He is currently serving as a board member (Co-UofA Student Section Advisor) in the International Society of Automation (ISA-Edmonton) and a Local Cahir for ICCMA international conference 2017.

He obtained his Ph.D. and M.S. from Ecole Centrale de Nantes and Ecole Arts et Metiers Paris respectively, in France. He has recently completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Luxembourg.

His research interest in "Design and Manufacturing" bridges the gap between fundamental research and their advanced applications into industry.


Dr. Jared Wesley

Dr. Wesley is a "pracademic" -- a practicing political scientist -- whose career path has taken him from government boardrooms to university classrooms. Prior to joining the Department of Political Science, Dr. Wesley served in various senior management roles in the Government of Alberta, including as Director of Learning and Development Policy (Public Service Commission), Senior Operations Manager (Executive Council), and Director of Intergovernmental Relations (Executive Council). He is also Vice Chair of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) Edmonton Regional Group, helping to build bridges between academics and public policy professionals throughout Canada.


Lifang Li

Lifang is a PhD student in Economics, and she is specialized in the areas of financial economics and econometrics. Her current research topics focus on the variations of Canadian corporate bond prices and yields, impact of domestic and foreign macro-level factors on Canadian financial markets, and Canadian-China bilateral investment and trade relationships.


Mauricio Vizconde

Mauricio is originally from Mexico City and grew up in a business family. He completed his MBA at the University of Saskatchewan, and has now lived in Canada for over a decade. Mauricio is passionate about supporting successful business owners, professionals, and corporate executives - and their families. With over 12 years of experience in financial services, he has had the privilege of providing personalized, discrete financial counsel to a select group of high-net-worth families and their businesses throughout western Canada. Mauricio works with a talented group of specialists in the TD Wealth and TD Bank Group teams.