Douglas College’s Vice President, International Education and Strategic Partnerships, has received a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to Douglas College’s international program over the past 25 years.
Dr. Guangwei Ouyang was given the annual International Education Lifetime Achievement Award by the British Columbia Council for International Education in Canada (BCCIE) for 2020. The award recognizes individuals whose long-term commitment to international education in B.C. have far-reaching impacts.
Dr. Kathy Denton, President of Douglas College, said the win is well-deserved, given Dr. Ouyang’s decades-long devotion to international education.
“Guangwei was an international student himself and knows from direct experience the value of international education. He speaks with passion about how international education opens minds and doors. He values all international activities, no matter how small, because each of them has the potential to be transformational,” said Dr. Denton.
Dr. Ouyang received the award for his role in enhancing Douglas’s international program over the span of his 25-year career at the College, which started with his negotiation of the first dual-degree business program between post-secondary institutions in China and Canada.
The program, between Douglas College and the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, has been operating successfully for 20 years.
“The duel-degree program has won multiple awards, and was recognized within China as one of the top programs in the country based on the employment success of its graduates,” said Dr. Denton.
Douglas College’s excellence in international education has been recognized by the Canadian Bureau for International Education, Colleges and Institutes Canada, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, as well as the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics.
“I believe the BCCIE Lifetime Achievement Award is really to recognize the leadership role Douglas College has played in international education in the post-secondary sector in B.C.,” said Dr. Ouyang. “We would never have been able to achieve this prestigious recognition without the full support of the entire college community.”
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