Niagara College is the silver recipient of Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) 2016 Internationalization Excellence Award recognizing the College’s World Ready Niagara internationalization initiative.
Niagara College president, Dan Patterson, accepted the award at the 45th annual CICan Awards of Excellence ceremony in Quebec City on May 29. More than 700 delegates representing colleges, cégeps and technical institutes from across Canada attended the event which showcased extraordinary community college contributions in social, economic and cultural development.
“Colleges and institutes are among the most dynamic institutions in the country thanks to passionate staff, teachers, researchers and administrators who work tirelessly to provide Canadians with the skills and experience they need to succeed”, said Denise Amyot, president and CEO of CICan. “Every year, the CICan Awards of Excellence recognize these dedicated people who go above and beyond to make Canada’s post-secondary education the best in the world.”
World Ready Niagara supports the growth of the College’s international and intercultural initiatives through expanded global partnerships, applied global learning activities and increased international student enrolment and services.
The signature Be World Ready program at Niagara College, part of the World Ready Niagara initiative, offers students and staff the opportunity to experience a culturally diverse learning environment and understand international perspectives through education and exchange. Since its inception in 2010, the program has engaged over 300 staff, 2500 students in the classroom and on campus in intercultural learning experiences and over 1000 students in international learning activities abroad.
Highlighting the advantages of the Be World Ready program for students, Kyla Pennie, acting manager, international partnerships noted, “Through the program, students have the chance to practice new intercultural skills and develop the global competencies that distinguish them as ‘world ready’ and ‘work ready’ whether they engage in the classroom, on campus, in their community or around the world.”
“We live in a multicultural society and we want to prepare our students for that,” added Sean Coote, director of Niagara College’s International Division. “No industry exists today without some kind of international link and employers are looking for candidates that have international sensibilities. Being interculturally competent is truly valuable in the workforce and we want to make sure our students have the opportunity to develop those skills.”
CICan is the national and international voice of Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes and polytechnics. Its members work with industry and social sectors to train 1.5 million learners of all ages and backgrounds at campuses serving over 3,000 urban, rural and remote communities in Canada. The association operates in 29 countries via 12 offices around the world. The Internationalization Excellence Award is awarded annually to a college or institute that has shown leadership in the internationalizing of their entire institution for the benefit of its learners and community. For more information visit CollegesInstitutes.ca.
Niagara College offers more than 100 diploma bachelor degree and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls; as well as more than 600 credit vocational and general interest Continuing Education courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit NiagaraCollege.ca.
