Mission & Vision

About Us

The China Institute at the University of Alberta (CIUA) was established in 2005 with an endowment fund of C$37 million from the Government of Alberta. The endowment matched the appraised value of The Mactaggart Art Collection, donated to the University of Alberta Museums by Edmonton philanthropists Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart, under an agreement by the University that the funds so obtained would be used to create a China Institute, dedicated to enhancing understanding between Canada and China.

The CIUA is focused on the study of contemporary China, including cutting-edge and policy relevant research on Chinese energy policy, politics, economy, social issues, culture and Canada-China relations.

Mission & Vision

CIUA's mission is to advance scholarship of China at the University of Alberta, to enhance and support research on China, and to promote strong academic linkages between the University of Alberta and Chinese universities.

CIUA's vision is to play a prominent role in Canada, China and internationally as a unique Canadian enterprise that stimulates outstanding China-related teaching, research initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration. Spanning a wide range of disciplines, the Institute encourages the participation in the scholarship of China by undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, staff, and faculty from the University of Alberta and Chinese institutions.

The CIUA looks forward to developing robust partnership with its Chinese partners in research, education, and joint programs, with the broad goal of enhancing understanding of China, and its role in the modern world.

Directors

Dr. Wenran Jiang was the Acting Director of CIUA from 2005-2008. Gordon Houlden, the first Director of the CIUA, served from 2008-2020. He is a specialist of Chinese and Asia Pacific affairs, who was appointed in 2008 and who commenced his second term as Director in 2014. The Interim Director of CIUA is Ms. Jia Wang, a Peking University graduate.