A University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) student will head to Asia next week on a 13-day trade mission led by Premier Christy Clark and Teresa Wat, B.C.'s international trade minister.
Theresa Coates, who is studying business and economics at UFV, was recommended by UFV president Mark Evered after Abbotsford West MLA and minister of finance Michael de Jong requested a business student to accompany the trade mission.
The delegation leaves for China, Korea and Japan on Nov. 21.
Evered said Coates is an outstanding student who has “laddered a trade certificate into a UFV business degree," describing her as “talented, ambitious, conscientious and mature, a very good communicator.”
Next spring Coates will receive a bachelor of business administration degree with a minor in economics from UFV. She previously graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s farrier program. In addition to her trade and academic achievements, Coates currently serves on the board of governors of UFV as an elected student representative and has served on the university’s Senate, including several of its major committees.
Coates, who lives in Harrison Hot Springs, is also a successful young business woman, establishing a farrier business and providing public relations support to another business.
De Jong had the opportunity to introduce Coates to the premier at a recent event in Abbotsford, and is very enthusiastic about the opportunities and experience she will bring back to UFV’s business program.