Elmwood's burgeoning international reputation received an endorsement from the very top during a recent trip to China.

 

First Minister Alex Salmond and Education and Lifelong Learning Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hysop assisted Principal Jim Crooks and International Director Carol Borthwick at a very special graduation.

 

The College's visit to China culminated in a graduation ceremony for Tongji University Golf Management students. Both the First minister and Cabinet Secretary took part in the ceremony which received a great deal of coverage in the Chinese media.

 

The Principal and Director of Golf and International Operations visit was to agree final terms with Andrews Times Golf Management Ltd to operate as Elmwood College's sole representatives in China. They would have the responsiblity for further commercialisation of courses to be delivered in China and also would be involved in the recruitment of Chinese students.

 

The partnership builds on a very successful decade of capacity building by the College in China for the golf industry and the formation of the China-Scotland Golf Partnership in which Elmwood plays a prominent role, with ten University and College partners. The college has also trained more than 70 Chinese academic staff to deliver golf education.

 

Principal Jim Crooks said, “The visit was a terrific success, and the First Minister was impressed with what he learned of our work in China. Elmwood College may be the 34th largest FE College in Scotland but is the number 1 choice in China - especially for golf management.”