China remains one of the most important source countries of international students to Canada. Opportunities are huge in China since the Chinese government continues encouraging international education and exchanges. Meanwhile, major changes are also appearing in the Chinese educational market, and the Chinese government changes its education development priorities from time to time to meet the country’s talent needs.

Simultaneously, Canadian international education faces ongoing challenges in 2025. The residual effects of the abrupt changes to the IRCC regulations governing the international student program in 2024 continue to exert considerable pressure on Canada’s reputation, particularly in key markets such as China.

There is growing discussion among individuals and institutions about the quality of Canadian education and Canada’s reputation as a land of opportunity, especially in the context of international study and partnerships. In this landscape, quick action to create meaningful education and career opportunities is needed to restore confidence in Canada and abroad.

To address these challenges, CCBC has invited a group of educational experts from the Chinese Embassy in Canada, Canadian universities, colleges, high schools, and education service companies to discuss the opportunities and challenges, and to explore ways to restore confidence in Canadian education in China, while strengthening bilateral educational partnerships and guiding both countries through the current “reset” toward future shared prosperity.

CCBC is pleased to have speakers from Canadian universities, colleges, high schools, language centres, and educational service companies discuss this important topic from their unique perspectives, including:

• • • Minister-Counsellor Mr. ZHANG Yongjun, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada
    • Tom Cumming, Deputy Director (High Intensity Services), Toronto Regional Office of the Trade Commissioner Service
    • Dr. DENG Jun, President & CEO, Bank of China (Canada), Principal Officer, Bank of China Toronto Branch
    • Gwen Burrows, Assistant Vice-President, International Engagement & Impact, University of Toronto; Board Director, Canada China Business Council
    • Dr. Chris Busch, Associate Vice-President of Enrolment and Senior International Officer, University of Windsor
    • Dr. Howard X. Lin, Director of the Canada-China Institute for Business & Development, Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University
    • Dr. William Wei, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, Algoma University
    • Dr. Simon Xu, Professor and Acting Dean, Faculty of Computer Science and Technology, Algoma University
    • Dr. Barry Wright, Dean, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
    • Nick Huang, Director, East and South East Asia Region, Seneca Polytechnic
    • Jin LIANG, Manager, International Market Development, East and Southeast Asia, University of Ottawa
    • Ting LI, Associate Director, Student Recruitment, University of Toronto Mississauga
    • Shouyi MA, President & CEO, Hanson Canada
    • Paul Pu, Director, The Erindale Academy/Toronto Central Academy; President, Global Youth Challenge
    • Alden Cheng, Program Manager, East & Southeast Asia, CIBC Capital Markets
    • Zijia GUO, Director of Canada Market, Easy Transfer
    • Jeff Zhang, Regional Director, Central Canada, Canada China Business Council

Tickets:
CCBC Members: Free; Non-Members: $100 + tax
Capacity is limited and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to CCBC members.

Refund and Cancellation Policy:
Payment is non-refundable unless the Canada China Business Council cancels the event.

Address:
TRS 3-147 (9/F), Ted Rogers School of Management
Toronto Metropolitan University
55 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON
M5G 2C3

Agenda:
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm EDT: Registration
2:00 pm – 3:50 pm EDT: Presentations & Panel Discussions
3:50 pm – 4:30 pm EDT: Networking

About the Speakers and Panelists:

Minister-Counsellor Mr. ZHANG Yongjun
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada

Mr. ZHANG Yongjun is Minister Counsellor for educational affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa. For over 30 years since 1992, Mr. ZHANG worked with the Chinese Ministry of Education in the field of higher education, during which he has been education officer from May 2001 to May 2005 at the Chinese Embassy in London. He holds a Master in Public Administration and Management (MPAM) from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore.

Gwen Burrows
Assistant Vice-President, International Engagement & Impact
University of Toronto
Board Director
Canada China Business Council

Gwen Burrows is Assistant Vice-President, International Engagement & Impact at the University of Toronto (U of T). She collaborates with colleagues across the university and internationally to advance U of T’s global excellence and impact in research, its translation, and in teaching and learning. She has an integral role in leading and executing the university’s international strategy across multiple dimensions, with a particular focus on region-specific engagement strategies and the development of partnerships to maximize global impact and advance U of T’s role and reputation as one of the world’s top universities.

Before being appointed the inaugural Assistant Vice-President, International Engagement and Impact in June 2022, Ms. Burrows served as Executive Director, International, with responsibility for developing and leading a team on the implementation of U of T’s first international strategic plan. She has led the development of key international partnerships in a number of regions around the world. In particular, she played a leadership role in the development of the recently launched Health Collaborative Network with eight universities in Africa.

Before joining the University of Toronto, Ms. Burrows served in various leadership roles at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). From 2014-17, she was the Executive Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Advocacy at SickKids. From 2006-2013, she was Director of Strategic Projects at the SickKids Research Institute. In that role, Ms. Burrows was part of a small team that led a successful $227-million Canada Foundation for Innovation grant proposal and its implementation to support the vision guiding the development of the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning.

Ms. Burrows began her career at SickKids in 1997 in the Foundation’s National Grants Program, a Canada-wide funding program for child health research. There she held the role of Director, National Grants Program, for five years, where she led a peer-reviewed granting program which supported child health researchers across the country.

Ms. Burrows has been an active volunteer in the charitable sector, including as President for the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs from 2009-2011. She holds a Master’s in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins and a BA from McGill University.

Tom Cumming
Deputy Director (High Intensity Services)
Toronto Regional Office of the Trade Commissioner Service

Upon completing studies in commerce at the University of Alberta and law at the University of Victoria, Tom Cumming joined the federal government with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Mr. Cumming was posted to the Embassy of Canada in Beijing and subsequently left the government to manage the operations of a Canadian software company in China. After having earned a MBA from the University of Navarra in Barcelona, Spain, Mr. Cumming established a trading company in China for the sourcing of industrial products. As a Global Affairs Canada officer, he has served at the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, as the Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General in Guangzhou, and is currently the Deputy Director of the Toronto Regional Office of the Trade Commissioner Service.

Dr. DENG Jun
President & CEO
Bank of China (Canada)
Principal Officer
Bank of China Toronto Branch

Dr. DENG Jun, President and CEO of Bank of China (Canada) and Principal Officer of Bank of China Toronto Branch, holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Wuhan University and has played an integral role in the Bank of China Group since 1990. His journey within the Bank includes key positions that underscore his expertise.

In 2001, he served as General Manager of the Bank of China Wuhan ETD Branch, contributing significantly to the Bank’s growth. In 2006, he took on the role of Deputy Managing Director at Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Auto Finance Company Ltd., a joint venture between Bank of China Group Insurance Company Ltd., Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroen Automobile Company Ltd., and Banque PSA Finance.

In 2009, Dr. Deng was appointed Assistant General Manager at the Bank of China Limited Head Office Corporate Banking Group and in 2012, he became Country Head of Bank of China Limited – Manila Branch, showcasing his versatility on the international stage. Since October of the same year, he has been fulfilling his current roles, leading as President and CEO of Bank of China (Canada) and Principal Officer of Bank of China Toronto Branch.

Dr. Chris Busch
Associate Vice-President of Enrolment and Senior International Officer
University of Windsor

Dr. Busch is the University of Windsor’s Associate Vice-President of Enrolment and Senior International Officer. He leads the institution’s enrolment and internationalization activities in collaboration with other senior institutional leaders. His scholarship focuses on organizational culture’s role in internationalization or integrating an international, intercultural or global dimension into higher education.

Dr. Howard X. Lin
Director of the Canada-China Institute for Business & Development
Ted Rogers School of Management
Toronto Metropolitan University

Dr. Howard X. Lin is a Professor of International Business & Entrepreneurship and Director of the Canada-China Institute for Business & Development at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University. He was the former Chair of the Academy of International Business Canada Chapter and Vice President (research) of the Canadian Council for Small Business & Entrepreneurship. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. His current research is focused on immigrant and Indigenous entrepreneurship, environmental innovation and societal transition.

Dr. Howard X. Lin worked at the Bank of China’s headquarters in Beijing prior to pursuing graduate study in the U.S., where he also served as the Director of International Business Assistance at the Center for International Trade Development, a USDA-sponsored regional center for promoting international business. He is the founder of the Canadian Entrepreneurship & Innovation Platform, a non-profit organization that promotes and facilitates entrepreneurship among immigrants in Canada.

Dr. Howard X. Lin has a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the Minzu University of China, a Master’s degree in Economics from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and a PhD in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University.

Dr. William Wei
Professor and Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics
Algoma University

Professor William X. Wei is the inaugural Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, Algoma University. He has provided major service as Research Institute Director, Department Chair, Associate Dean and Dean in several Canadian Universities. He is also the President of International Case Research Association and the Vice President of North American Case Research Association. Professor Wei finished Ivey Leadership and Harvard Kennedy Executive Programs. He is also Associate Editor of two Emerald journals: Emerging Markets Case Studies and Chinese Management Studies. He was recognized as a distinguished scholar by the Academy for Global Business Advancement in 2012 and received President’s Service Award from Association of African Business and Development in 2021. He is a Certified Institute of Corporate Director from the ICD-Rotman Directors Education and a Registered Professional Accountant from the Society of Professional Accountant of Canada. Before moving to Toronto, he spent 15 years in Alberta and Vancouver, served as a member of the Board of Directors of BioNeutral Global Company and the President of the Hong Kong Canada Business Association. In the past 18 years, he has led a research team published 40 Ivey and Harvard Business Cases. His research has been published in the prestigious journals such as International Journal of Operations and Production Management, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, International Journal of Emerging Markets and Project Management Journal.

Dr. Simon Xu
Professor and Acting Dean, Faculty of Computer Science and Technology
Algoma University

Dr. Simon Xu is Dean and Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology at Algoma University, where he has been a faculty member since 2002. Before joining Algoma, he worked at the School of Computer Science at the University of Windsor. Dr. Xu also holds visiting appointments as Guest Professor at Wuhan University and Adjunct Professor at China University of Mining and Technology. Additionally, he serves as CEO of the International Association for Computer and Information Science.

Dr. Xu’s academic background is distinguished and multidisciplinary. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Peking University, a Master’s degree from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, and a Ph.D. from the University of Liège in Belgium. He later transitioned to Computer Science, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba, a Master’s degree from the University of Windsor, and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University.

A prolific researcher and author, Dr. Xu has authored or edited nine books on software engineering and published over 90 academic papers in leading international journals and conferences. He has delivered eight keynote speeches at multiple IEEE international conferences and has been invited to lecture at top universities including Peking University, Wuhan University, and Dalian University of Technology.

Dr. Xu’s research interests include software evolution, program comprehension, big data, and the application of emerging technologies. With his extensive academic and leadership experience across North America, Asia, and Europe, he brings a global perspective to innovation, technology, and education.

Dr. Barry Wright
Dean, Goodman School of Business
Brock University

Barry Wright is the Dean in the Goodman School of Business at Brock University. Dr. Wright’s research centres primarily on leadership, teamwork, and enacting organizational change. An award-winning educator in the classroom, Dr. Wright is also sought out by senior executives to assist in the boardroom. He has provided a variety of training and research consultations to Canadian businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Dr. Wright is also an active volunteer in his community. He has served on several community, provincial, and national boards. Recently, Dr. Wright was seconded as CEO with the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games that took place in Niagara in August 2022. With a Ph.D. in Management from Queen’s University, Dr. Wright enjoys being married, being a father, coaching sports, a trip to the art gallery, traveling, and a good laugh.

Nick Huang
Director, East and South East Asia Region
Seneca Polytechnic

Nick Huang leads a team of Business Development Managers that promotes Seneca Polytechnic in the East and South East Asia region. He is involved in many areas of international students’ recruitment, such as attending education fairs, hosting agencies partners events, and participating in conferences and seminars. He also partakes in visiting high schools, colleges, universities and language schools. The East and South East Asia team focuses on student recruitment, developing new recruitment markets, as well as identifying potential partner institutions to create joint educational partnerships with Seneca, such as exchange or study-abroad programs. In addition, Mr. Huang’s team develops the Seneca brand, promotes Seneca programs, and establishes short-term/contract-training opportunities for Seneca in the East and South East Asia region.

Mr. Huang was a professional classical musician in China before he immigrated to Canada in 1990. He plays bassoon and saxophone with various ensembles and orchestras in Toronto during his free time. He speaks English, Mandarin and Russian.

Jin LIANG
Manager
International Market Development, East and Southeast Asia
University of Ottawa

Jin LIANG is a seasoned international education professional with over 15 years of experience, specializing in market development, admissions, and student recruitment, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. Currently, he serves as Manager of the International Market Department at the University of Ottawa, where he develops strategic market initiatives and oversees recruitment efforts. Mr. LIANG is recognized for his strong intercultural communication skills and extensive global network. He has successfully led the establishment of new overseas offices, negotiated international agreements, and driven significant enrollment growth. Fluent in English, French, and Chinese, Mr. LIANG’s diverse expertise continues to make a substantial impact in the education sector.

Paul Pu
Director
The Erindale Academy/Toronto Central Academy
President
Global Youth Challenge

Paul Pu’s research interests encompass educational leadership, transitional education for international students, and the intersection of AI and education. His leadership philosophy is structured around two core dimensions: the 6C Interaction Dimension, comprising Communication, Connection, Community, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity, and the VIA Success Dimension, which focuses on Vision, Innovation, and Action. In acknowledgment of his contributions to education, the University of Toronto established the Paul Pu Educational Leadership Award.

Mr. Pu possesses extensive teaching experience across various educational levels, including universities, colleges, and high schools in Canada, the US, and China. His notable assignments include positions at the State University of New York, US, and Humber College, Canada.

Guided by the credo “to add value to people by helping them reach their potential,” Mr. Pu continues to make significant contributions to the field of education.

Alden Cheng
Program Manager, East and Southeast Asia
CIBC Capital Markets

Alden Cheng is a Program Manager with the Alternative Solutions Group (ASG) at CIBC Capital Markets. He leads initiatives focused on delivering end-to-end banking solutions for international students—starting before their arrival in Canada. Over the past several years, Mr. Cheng and his team have built strong, strategic partnerships with key recruitment organizations in major source countries.

As a former international student himself, Mr. Cheng brings a unique and personal perspective to his work. He is deeply committed to supporting international students and is passionate about collaborating with educational institutions, service providers, and community partners to improve the student experience and facilitate successful transitions to life in Canada.

Zijia GUO
Director of Canada Market
Easy Transfer

Zijia GUO is an alumni from Dalhousie University now working as the Director of the Canada Market at Easy Transfer, a leading payment platform that specializes in international payments for students.

Mr. GUO oversees the operations of Easy Transfer’s overseas payment services in Canada, focusing on delivering seamless payment solutions for international students. Easy Transfer currently serves over 200,000 users worldwide, handling tuition payments and various study abroad-related transactions. Easy Transfer now manages an impressive annual transaction volume of over 20 billion Chinese yuan.

With a deep understanding of the international education landscape, Mr. GUO is dedicated to supporting the financial needs of students studying abroad, making cross-border payments more efficient and accessible.

Jeff Zhang
Regional Director, Central Canada
Canada China Business Council

Jeff Zhang has over 20 years of international experience in private, public and non-profit organizations in a variety of sectors including E-commerce, oil and gas, retail, commercial real estate, education and financial services. Prior to joining CCBC, Mr. Zhang worked in establishment and operation management at a Sino-Foreign joint venture company and in strategic partnership management at a Fortune 500 multinational company. He also led and assisted a number of Canadian companies and educational institutions into China where he was responsible for strategic partnerships and branding establishment.

Mr. Zhang has an MBA in marketing and international business from Concordia University in Montreal and is fluent in Mandarin and English. He has also been a guest speaker at professional business associations in China and Canada.

Photography/Filming: By taking part in this event, you grant the Canada China Business Council full rights to use any images resulting from photography/video filming.