Durham College (DC) continued to deliver on its objective to enhance its global partnerships when delegates from Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru visited the campuses in early November. The goal to establish and augment internationalization and global engagement initiatives resides in the college’s Academic Plan and is enabled through the college’s Internationalization and Global Engagement Plan.

The visitors were here to continue their work on the Pacific Alliance Education for Employment program (PA-EFE), which supports the development of marketing and promotional campaigns to increase awareness of technical and vocational education and training in Latin America. The program is primarily focused on reaching women and marginalized populations.

This is the first time that DC has been able to host an international delegation since before the pandemic, and the first time this group, which also included representatives from Fanshawe College and Vancouver Island University, has been together in person.

“Although a lot of great work has been done online, it’s been wonderful to finally meet and work together in person,” said Jacqueline Towell, manager, International Projects and Partnerships, DC, adding that the delegates participated in four days of meetings and DC’s open house. “It’s much more meaningful being together, we can really see and hear everyone’s excitement.”

Collaborating with other education organizations provides insights into new ways of working and learning from others’ perspectives. The global insights brought to DC from delegates spark new ideas, strengthen innovation and create connections.

“To become global leaders, students need not only the core functional disciplines that professional schools offer, but also a deeper understanding of the broader architecture of global society and the forces that shape it,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, DC’s executive vice president, Academic.

The Pacific Alliance Education for Employment contract further reinforces DC’s commitment to quality education, not only here in Canada, but all over the world. To learn more about DC’s international initiatives, visit the International Education office website.