An international partnership between Trent University and Nanjing University in China is the catalyst for the creation of the new International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES), which will bring experts from prestigious universities around the world together to tackle international environmental issues. 

Announced today at a special event at Trent University, the launch of the IIES was celebrated by a number of dignitaries including: the Honourable Michael Chan, minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade for Ontario; Dr. Yi Pan, vice-president of Nanjing University; Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University; the Honourable Jeff Leal '74, minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and MPP of Peterborough; Daryl Bennett, mayor of Peterborough; J. Murray Jones, warden of Peterborough County, and Maryam Monsef ‘03, MP elect for Peterborough. 

The IIES will see world-class research scientists and policy analysts from around the globe working collaboratively, sharing expertise, facilities and research programs in order to become a global leader in the development of research and policy for the management of environmental issues. The IIES was sparked through a partnership between the new Trent School of the Environment and Nanjing University’s School of the Environment and will encompass more than 14 highly-ranked international universities, all with leading programs in environmental science, engineering and policy. 

“I’m very pleased, that after several years of developing this concept, Nanjing University and Trent University are able to initiate this new institute,” said Dr. Doug Evans, professor of Environmental and Resource Studies at Trent University and interim director of the IIES. “I look forward to the many international, collaborative research opportunities this partnership will bring students.” 

As part of the launch, Trent University is hosting the annual workshop of the International Institute for Environmental Studies October 24 and October 25. The collaborative workshop, which is at the core of the Institute and will be held annually at partner institutions around the world, offers partners of the IIES the opportunity to come together and discuss the four areas of focus for the Institute: environmental processes, environmental health, green technology and environmental policy. A highlight of this year’s conference will be a keynote address and free public lecture with internationally-acclaimed climate change expert, Dr. David Keith who will be speaking in Gzowski College, room 114 at Trent University. 

“Today’s launch of the IIES marks the most significant international partnership Trent has engaged in my time at Trent,” said Dr. Mike Allcott, director of the Trent international program. “It is a sign of the extraordinary quality of our research faculty, as well as the laboratory facilities and excellence of our community that we are able to partner with some of the top universities around the world.” 

The IIES will foster international exchanges of research scientists, field experts, faculty members, post‐doctoral fellows and students and will facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, research needs and results among Member Institutions, Governmental Members and Industry Partners of the Institute.The IIES will be virtual, with a small administration centre at Nanjing University in China. 

Learn more about the International Institute for Environmental Studies and the conference at http://trentu.ca/iies/agenda.php.