Niagara College and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Ireland enjoy a flourishing relationship and have provided mutually beneficial academic and cultural experiences for students, faculty, and staff.
“The partnership between NC and ATU is a wonderful example of what great opportunities can be cultivated when the alignment of a collaborative spirit is fostered between academic partners,” said Maxine Semple, Associate Director of Cultural and Global Engagement.
Semple also highlighted a significant benefit of this partnership was the opportunity for cultural and short-term academic exchanges between Canada and Ireland and the students.
“By immersing learners in different academic and cultural environments, participants gain the valuable soft skills of cultural intelligence and enhance their global competencies,” she said.
Bringing the world to Niagara
Earlier this year, NC hosted 10 students, two faculty and one head of department from ATU’s Early Childhood (ECE) education program. The learning and cultural experience included joining ECE classes at Niagara College, visiting ECE sites, and touring Niagara Region on February 10-16.
“There was extensive shared learning with peers, discussing the approach to ECE in both countries,” said Dr. Rita Melia, lecturer of ATU Galway & Mayo.
Dr. Melia also participated in the study week with ATU Mayo Vice President, Dr. Justin Kerr and lecturer Louise Kilbane.
“We have identified many synergies, particularly concerning the value and importance of play, partnerships with families and communities, and the wonderful potential of outdoor ECE and care provision. Keeping the child at the heart of all we do is core to ECE students and lecturers from both institutions,” said Melia.
Bringing Niagara to the world
In the Fall of 2022, it was ATU’s first welcomed NC students during a Be World Ready (BWR) International Field Study (IFS) trip to Ireland. The Thriving Communities itinerary included exploring the most scenic spots in Dublin and Ireland’s west coast, in addition to participating in activities and seminars at ATU.
The educational sessions featured an introduction to ECE in Ireland and Canada, small group activities, and hands-on experiences.
Preparing world ready graduates and staff
The relationship between NC and ATU started in 2019 and has developed over a time of institutional change. These changes included the establishment in April 2022 of ATU Ireland because of the merger of three institutes of technology: Galway/Mayo, Sligo, and Letterkenny Institutes of Technology.
In April 2019, Mary Skillington, lecturer in ECE at Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology, visited NC to undertake a programmatic review of NC’s ECE program. Having an international external assessor supports the NC’s strategy to embed intercultural competencies into the curriculum.
In November 2019, both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aiming to develop the international study visits from Niagara to Ireland under the BWR program and from Ireland to Niagara. It also allows students who complete the two-year Diploma in ECE at NC to qualify for direct entry into year three of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Early Childhood Education and Care program at ATU to complete the final two years of the honour’s degree program.
NC looks forward to continuing to strengthen its relationship with ATU, which expands its global reach and supports its pursuit of academic excellence and constant innovation in its academic delivery and learning experiences. Enhancing Niagara College’s global reach and increasing access to quality education for learners around the world support the College’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG number four (“Education”).
For more information regarding BWR, visit: www.beworldready.ca/
