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From Montreal to Shanghai 

In relationship between cities Concordia lives up to its name

By Michael Keegan

Expo 2010 is taking place just as host Shanghai and sister city Montreal celebrate their 25-year relationship. As Montreal sent a delegation and opened an exhibit at Expo to renew old bonds, Concordia made its presence felt and two of its alumni are playing key roles.

As part of an economic and university delegation accompanying Mayor Gérald Tremblay to Shanghai last month, Concordia President Judith Woodsworth was busy. At Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), on May 11, Woodsworth signed a memorandum of understanding on a proposal for a joint doctoral program between Concordia’s Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and SJTU’s School of Microelectronics, as well as an agreement to develop other possible partnerships.

Two days later, while visiting the exhibition A Man of Action – Norman Bethune in 4 Seasons at the Montreal Pavilion of the Pudong Botanical Gardens, the President announced the establishment of the Norman Bethune Concordia Doctoral Fellowship (see related story this issue).

Later, addressing the College of Architecture and Urban Planning of Tongji University, Woodsworth said of the new fellowship, “It is our way of opening our doors to students from China and increasing the exchange between our two countries.”

While at Tongji, Woodsworth spoke about Concordia’s strong ties with China, and how the university has seen rapid growth while simultaneously enhancing the architecture and urban landscape of Montreal. She also signed a memorandum of understanding for further cooperation between the two universities.

Woodsworth, together with Chairman of the Board Peter Kruyt (who happened to be in the city that week on business), attended an alumni dinner. They met with numerous graduates living in Shanghai, including two who are intimately involved with Montreal’s presence at Expo 2010.

Kim Tien Huynh (BComm 01) and Jinny Wu (BComm 98) are Director of Public Relations and Director of Operations, respectively, of Espace Montréal, the city’s contribution to Expo 2010. In keeping with Expo’s theme, “better city, better life,” the exhibit focuses on the Saint-Michel Environmental Complex (CESM) as an example of the city’s expertise in sustainability, innovation and creativity in transforming the old Miron quarry landfill into an urban park.

Born in Tra Vinh, Vietnam, but growing up in Montreal, Huynh majored in marketing in Concordia’s Co-op program, minoring in international business. She left Montreal in 2005 to follow her dream of helping Canadian companies do business in China.

Before returning to Montreal in October 2009, she met officials from the City of Montreal who were preparing for Expo 2010 and let them know she was interested in working on the project. By November, she’d won the PR position.

Her job is to handle all media requests at the Expo site, promoting Montreal and explaining the very technical CESM project to reporters, delegations and dignitaries from Canada, China and other countries.

“Montreal has a lot to offer to Shanghai,” said Huynh by email. “People may think that at 11 373 km Shanghai is very far, but Montreal and Shanghai have a lot in common and not a lot of people are sizing up these opportunities.”

Born in Kaoshiung, Taiwan, Wu majored in international business and minored in marketing at Concordia. In 2005, she was drawn to Shanghai by the opportunities the rapid growth of China presented. Looking for new challenges, Wu was introduced by Huynh to Montreal’s representative to Expo 2010 who hired her as Director of Operations.

Her role is to ensure Espace Montréal runs smoothly, to manage the Chinese staff composed largely of university students, and to build relationships with the Chinese delegates and the Expo Bureau.

Huynh and Wu will be with Espace Montréal until the Shanghai Expo ends Oct. 31.