Furthering their shared commitment to providing high-quality education and training on an international scale, Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) have each signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Modi Edutech Private Limited (Modi Edutech) in India.

Both agreements explore opportunities to develop and deliver educational programming in India. The MOU with the college is focused on early childhood/early years education. The MOU with UOIT focuses on teacher education and curriculum development, as well as leadership and research collaborations.

DC President Don Lovisa and UOIT President Dr. Tim McTiernan signed the agreements with Modi Edutech Chairman Alok Modi on February 1 at a ceremony in New Delhi. Both presidents participated in Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s 10-day Indian trade mission. 

“Our new agreement with Modi Edutech marks an important first step in exploring international opportunities for us to deliver education designed to strengthen India’s workforce and provides a significant opportunity for the college to further develop our international presence,” said Lovisa.

“Ideas know no borders and, as such, universities are at the forefront of building global communities,” said McTiernan. “As the University of Ontario Institute of Technology continues to grow, an agreement like this allows us to play an increasing role in global engagement.”

The agreements allow each institution to explore opportunities for leadership education programs and teacher education. Further discussions will look at co-operation for curriculum development, teaching and learning resources, occupational standards, testing and certification, labour market information systems and, for UOIT, collaborative research.

“A key part of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s international plan involves leveraging our strength in technology-enriched and online learning to expand access to global education and partnerships. I am hopeful that we can develop such partnerships with Modi Edutech,” said McTiernan.

“Durham College was very pleased to be selected to be part of the Premier’s delegation to India,” said Lovisa. “The country represents an important emerging market and economy with a number of specific training needs that are aligned with the skills and education that we provide. In particular, our strength in early childhood education will meet the need of our Indian partners for high-level training in that area.”

More than 100 leaders from Ontario’s higher education, business and sustainable development and urban infrastructure sectors joined the Premier’s delegation. The group visited New Delhi, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Mumbai to promote Ontario’s business advantage and create opportunities for new partnerships.

India is the world’s third-largest economy and has the potential for numerous partnership and training opportunities in business and higher education. The higher education delegates involved in the trade mission focused on building new partnerships in priority areas such as health education, clean energy and information and communications technology.