CB Richard Ellis announced today that it is partnering with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to launch a UK/China Exchange Programme. The programme, the first of its kind supported by the RICS, offers a unique opportunity for selected second and final year UK real estate students to gain overseas work experience, via a three month placement within an office operated by CB Richard Ellis in China. This initiative forms part of an ongoing training and development programme being implemented by CB Richard Ellis, which also includes a Graduate Training Programme operated in conjunction with leading universities in China such as Tsinghua University and the People's University in Beijing as well as Tongji University in Shanghai. These programmes are in line with the ongoing objectives of CB Richard Ellis to offer training and development opportunities to graduates and the long term commitment of the company to the real estate industry both in China and internationally.
As part of the UK/China Exchange Programme, a total of six students have been selected from 23 universities in the UK offering 41 RICS-accredited courses. The finalists, reviewed and confirmed by a selection committee consisting of RICS members and business leaders from CB Richard Ellis in the UK, start their placement in mid June in the Beijing and Shanghai offices of CB Richard Ellis. The 12 week programme will be implemented for five consecutive years with effect from 2007.
"The innovative programme will identify and develop international expertise. The RICS looks forward to a closer partnership with CB Richard Ellis, in future endeavours to promote surveying as a profession and a higher level of industry standards going forward, " said Ong See Lian, Chairman, RICS Asia Pacific.
"Along with the RICS, our exclusive partner in relation to this programme, and our colleagues in the UK, we will jointly promote and leverage our shared vision of professionalism and commitment within the real estate industry around the globe. In the ever more competitive market place, we believe training and development plays a critical role in our business success as we continue to strive for excellence and sustainable growth across Greater China both now and in the future, " said Chris Brooke, President & CEO, CB Richard Ellis in Greater China.
"This cross-border initiative will facilitate and enhance the career planning and professional growth of the successful candidates from the leading universities in the UK, and act as a catalyst for greater links between the markets in China and the UK. Furthermore, I believe these selected participants will also bring new insights to our business as we constantly improve our services in response to property needs from both domestic and international clients, " said Martin Samworth, CEO of CB Richard Ellis in the UK.
Over the years, CB Richard Ellis has established itself as a leading real estate service provider in Greater China with twelve offices in Beijing, Shanghai (Puxi and Pudong), Guangzhou, Chengdu, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Dalian, Hong Kong (Hong Kong Island and Kowloon) and Taipei, as well as approximately 10 project offices and experience in over 60 cities. CB Richard Ellis has developed a comprehensive business platform which combines the advantages of local market knowledge with the resources of a regional and global network and is now in a position to provide a full range of real estate services, including research, consulting, valuation, leasing, sales, investment and asset management, across Greater China.