Unitec strengthens creative partnerships in China
Unitec’s Head of School of Creative Industries, Associate Professor Vanessa Byrnes, has returned from a successful trip to China presenting a paper at the 70th anniversary of the Beijing Dance Academy (BDA), while establishing new relationships and reviving old connections with some of the top tertiary arts institutions in the world.
Dr Byrnes believes the China visit will reap benefits for the school and Unitec.
"It’s gone exceptionally well," she says.
"The 70th birthday celebrations of Beijing Dance Academy provide a chance to reflect on the significant impact of BDA and its partners around the world. President Xu Rei and his amazing team at BDA made me and Unitec so welcome throughout my time there, and I’m very grateful for this opportunity to reconnect after COVID. We have a very special relationship with BDA that is treasured."
"The visit to BDA and associated Deans’ Conference also marked the establishment of the World Dance Education Alliance (WDEA), which has also a condensed way to connect with other excellent tertiaries such as Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (London), The Place (London), and significant others from Poland, Brazil, Australia, and USA, amongst others. We really are in the best company."
Being part of the WDEA with over 70 member institutions will allow Unitec to leverage new opportunities in an evolving landscape.
"It brings us in close company with these other Dance and Performing Arts providers," Dr Byrnes explains.
She says she was made to feel particularly welcome by our BDA hosts, a relationship with Unitec's Dance programme that goes back over two decades.
At the BDA's 70th Anniversary, Dr Byrnes presented a conference paper reflecting on Unitec Dance’s partnership with BDA.
"The paper went well, and it was great to be able to bring our Te Noho Kotahitanga values to China and report about the positive korero between our institutions post-COVID, as well as leaning into AI opportunities relating to pedagogy and dance."
Dr Byrnes describes the scale of the BDA anniversary celebrations as "mind blowing" with the sight of 800 dancers sharing the stage, a fond memory she brings with her to Aotearoa.
Dr Byrnes also met with the Beijing Film Academy - China's most prestigious film training institute - with a view to reestablishing that relationship with Unitec's Screen Arts and Acting programmes after a five-year hiatus due to COVID.
The connection with BFA is one she describes as particularly precious and in line with our values and kaupapa at Unitec.
“The performing arts rely on deep and truthful connections between people at all levels, and our relationships with Chinese partners reinforce the wisdom of the whakataukī: He toi whakairo, he mana tangata: Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity.
