Press Releases

International Business School Develops
Educational Links with China

Left to right: Liz Tansell from the Fund Management Association, His Excellency Zha Peixin Ambassador of the PRC in the UK, Professor Roger Carey Director of the IBS & The Hon Steve Rodan Minister for Education and also a Director of the IBS

At lunch time on Monday 3^rd March the International Business School was both pleased and honoured to receive His Excellency Zha Peixin, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in the UK, and Madame Zhang Xiaokang, for a tour and luncheon at The Nunnery.

The informal lunch, hosted by the International Services Division of the Treasury, allowed leading figures engaged in international education on the Isle of Man to meet with the Ambassador.  Guests including the Isle of Man College, the International Hotel School, King Williams College and the Centre for Manx Studies were able to impress upon the Ambassador and Madame Xiaokang the very favourable environment that the Island provides for Chinese and other international students.

In welcoming the Ambassador and his wife, Prof. Roger Carey, Director of the International Business School, emphasised that in a turbulent world major cities were not only possible terrorist targets but also offered many negative distractions to students.  The Isle of Man, by contrast, offers a haven of tranquility in which students could focus on their studies.  The strong family values that prevail on the Isle of Man match well with the values of Chinese society.  The Manx people have always offered a warm welcome to those from "off-island" and have been enthusiastic to learn about other cultures and to share Manx culture with visitors.  The deep commitment of the Isle of Man to education is well known and the Ambassador was able to view the first class facilities of the IBS as well as discuss ways in which education collaboration could take place between our two nations.

Seated at table from left to right: Dr Edgar Mann MLC, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the IBS, Madame Zhang Xiaokang, The Hon Steve Rodan Minister for Education and also a Director of the IBS, His Excellency Zha Peixin Ambassador of the PRC in the UK & Professor Roger Carey Director of the IBS

As part of the linkage of education with enterprise and industry on the island, and to celebrate the existing links of the Isle of Man with the People's Republic of China, a new Strix Scholarship was announced that will assist a student from the PRC to study for an MBA at the International Businsess School.  Strix are world market leaders in micro-switches for kettles, water heaters, coffee makers etc and have extensive manufacturing facilities in the PRC.