Vancouver, B.C.—The University of British Columbia, UBC, announced the Canadian government granted it 1.5 million dollars Canadian to help fund a new partnership with the Kedge Business School of Bordeaux, France to support the area’s wine industry.

Kedge and UBC are organizing a task force and readying for the third annual UBC/KEDGE Wine Leaders Forum in April 2016 in Okanagan Valley. Kedge has worked with the British Columbia wine industry since 2012 to help the region gain international recognition.

The new funding will support a three year plan to improve labeling and presentation, organize the industry, develop British Columbia’s identity and international development. “Both the industry and government have recognized the unique role played by UBC and KEDGE in terms of offering a neutral and stimulating arena for open participation, free expression and collective learning” said UBC Okanagan Dean Roger SUGDEN in the statement announcing the grant.