Focusing on the development of international partnerships, alliances and agreements, the Office of International Business Development (OIBD) regularly participates in activities in various countries. Below are details about recent and upcoming matters of interest. For further information contact Mathew Gennaro at mathew.gennaro@durhamcollege.ca or Alanna Desaillier at alanna.desaillier@durhamcollege.ca
As part of the ongoing effort of the Office of International Business Development to work with various partners throughout the Americas, representatives from the OIBD attended the recent 6th Annual Latin American Leadership Forum. The focus of the OIBD in this forum was on the development of new opportunities for collaboration with leading firms, international organizations and regional governments, each of whom are focused on addressing some of the most critical infrastructure and training matters throughout Central and South America. While at the conference, the OIBD representatives met individually with numerous key stakeholders from the region, with meeting outcomes focused on the development of strategies and opportunities to assist partners in sustaining the economic growth of the Americas through a stable training and education model, provided by Canadian partners, including Durham College.
Ryan O'Grady, Director, International Business Development, will travel to the Americas and Caribbean regions for an extended visit focused on the launch of numerous initiatives in Panama, Jamaica and Barbados. Further details regarding outcomes of this trip will be announced in April and May.
Ryan O'Grady, Director, International Business Development, has been invited by Brown's Town Community College to speak at the launch of their new Workforce Development Unit in May. The focus of the event will be on the creation of sustainable partnerships between Durham College and Brown's Town over the coming months, and to strengthening economic and educational ties between Jamaican enterprises and Canadian entities.
Ryan O'Grady, Director, International Business Development for Durham College, will deliver a presentation and participate in a panel of experts at the semi-annual conference of the International Consortium for Education and Economic Development, to be held March 5-8 in Teluca, Mexico.
O'Grady has been asked to present on the topic: Successful Experiences with International Linkages, outlining the unique approach Durham College is utilizing in leveraging public-private partnerships for international business development.
Joining O'Grady in the discussion following his presentation will be Dr. Gilbert Leal, President, Texas State Technical College, Dr. Arturo Nava Jaimes, General Coordinator of Technological Universities for Mexico, and Eduardo Conrado, Director, International Programs, Alamo College District for a panel discussion on best-practices and success stories.
Durham College is a member of ICEED, an organization comprised of public and private post-secondary institutions and government representatives from Canada, the United States and Mexico. The goal of ICEED is to promote sustainable educationally related projects in all three countries that strengthen the economy and create new multi-national opportunities. The conference, held twice annually, rotates between Mexico once per year, and alternates between Canada and the United States for the other conference annually.
While in Mexico, O'Grady will also undertake extensive meetings with local partners, including CONALEP, the national training agency of Mexico, which has 250 campuses and 250,000 students in their system, and various Universities of Technology throughout the country.
President Leah Myers, accompanied by Director, OIBD, Ryan O'Grady, participated in a Trade Mission for women business leaders in January 2008. Outcomes included a multitude of agreements achieved in both countries with close to a dozen new partners. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Priscilla Maloney, Executive Director of the PanCan Chamber of Commerce, and part-time instructor at Durham College Panama delivered a one-day seminar for 25 senior officials from IFARHU, the national student loans agency of Panama. The topic of the seminar was Leadership Essentials, utilizing internationally focused curriculum from BIDS. The seminar covered topics such as: creating effective work teams, communication, motivation and managing change and transition.
Plaza Edison Tower is the new home to the Durham College Panama Campus, where the college will occupy the entire 7th floor of the building. The space will include a brand new computer lab, lecture space for business certificates, language studies and applied science. A corporate training centre will also be developed in the space for clients.
Ryan O'Grady, Director, OIBD, will participate in the International Consortium for Education and Economic Development annual meeting in Mexico, March 4-8, 2008. The event will discuss Educational and economic development throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico.
OIBD will host a series of Regional Seminars throughout March & April 2008. Topics will include the Middle East, China, India, The Americas, and the Caribbean. These seminars are being developed to inform and educate faculty and staff of Durham College about the efforts being made in the international community. This will also provide an open forum for feedback and potential leads to new projects via the interest of the Durham community. For further information please contact Alanna Desaillier at extension 3602. Dates will be confirmed in the near future
Representatives of OIBD will visit Panama City, Republic of Panama in late January as part of the ongoing efforts to develop customized programming in the region. Meetings will be focused on government and corporate partners, as well as the development and execution of new initiatives.
For further information, contact Alanna Desaillier at alanna.desaillier@durhamcollege.ca
Representatives of OIBD will visit Bangalore, India in early January to undertake a final inspection of facilities to be used in the joint Canada Technology & Research Centre - Durham College campus in the city, and to meet with investors, corporate representatives and prospective students.
For further information, contact Alanna Desaillier at alanna.desaillier@durhamcollege.ca
Durham College President, Leah Myers, will represent the college on a trade mission for businesswomen to Jamaica and Barbados, lead by Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) the Honourable Helena Guregis. Representatives of OIBD will accompany the president on this mission and conduct extensive outreach activities with partners in the region.
For further information, contact Alanna Desaillier at alanna.desaillier@durhamcollege.ca
Representatives of OIBD will meet at various points throughout China in December to conduct in-depth discussions with partners and prospective partners regarding opportunities in the region for collaboration, post-secondary programs, corporate training initiatives and other related development matters.
For further information, contact Alanna Desaillier at alanna.desaillier@durhamcollege.ca
Representatives from OIBD and the Americas campus attended the National College of Technical Professional Education's (CONALEP) first Expo of Education and Labor at the CANACO Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City. Durham College representatives were on-site to work with prospective partners, provide information to individuals interested in learning in an international setting, make various presentations and conduct meetings with partners.