Niagara College seeks to expand its global reach by enhancing its offshore campus operations to offer students top-quality programming while meeting the needs of local economies.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the countries where NC is exploring opportunities to establish an overseas campus to facilitate cultural exchange and provide a globalized education that is increasingly valued in an interconnected world.
With the purpose of strengthening the relationship between NC and the UAE, NC’s Global Campus Operations team hosted Hussein Al Shamaa, the Academic Zone Manager for the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) in the UAE, this past fall. The delegate visited both the Welland Campus and the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake on September 25 and 26.
“Global partnership development is critical to our objective of global reach, a key focus of Niagara College’s Strategic Plan,” said Holly Catalfamo, Senior Director of Global Education and Training. “This visit provided our guest the opportunity to meet with members of the college community to explore potential opportunities aligned with NC’s expertise. He was exceptionally impressed with our academic programming and our passionate team members.”
The delegate was particularly interested in Niagara College’s Hospitality and Tourism programs and NC’s incorporation of experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and co-op placements, which align with industry standards and enhance students’ practical skills.
“The UAE has witnessed remarkable growth and urbanization, attracting a diverse and ever-expanding population, creating an immense demand for skilled professionals in the hospitality and tourism sectors,” said Orel Ruiz, NC’s Director of Global Campus Operations, Compliance and Reporting. “This surge in demand presents a unique opportunity for NC to meet the region’s educational needs and simultaneously address labour market gaps.”
The partnership with RAKEZ, a prominent player in economic and education development in the UAE, is also beneficial for NC.
“The potential establishment of an offshore campus in the UAE would present numerous opportunities for the College,” said Ruiz. “It would build on our existing presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council region and provide us access to a diverse student body, tapping into the UAE’s education and innovation ecosystem. It would also enable us to form strategic partnerships with local institutions, generating revenue streams and enhancing the College’s brand reputation.”
As Niagara College forges ahead in expanding its global reach, the recent visit by Hussein Al Shamaa marks a pivotal milestone in establishing a strategic partnership with the UAE.
Niagara College’s Partner Delivery Locations
As one of Canada’s leading global colleges, NC proudly offers partner delivery locations within Canada and around the world, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Toronto, and in the past, China as well as South Korea. In addition to offering Niagara College’s top-quality programming and services, these partner delivery locations also pave the way for new local and global opportunities for NC students to pursue study abroad, co-op placements, exchanges, and international field studies.
For more information about NC’s offshore campuses, please contact Orel Ruiz, Director, Global Campus Operations, Compliance and Reporting at [email protected]
