In a celebration event bringing together faculty, current and former NC team members, global partners, and distinguished guests, Niagara College honoured the contributions that made the establishment of Niagara College’s Institute for Global Education and Training possible.
Held on July 29 at Benchmark, located in the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the event showcased the shared pride and excitement among the attendees.
Notable guests included Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, and Gary Zalepa, Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake, whose attendance underscored the support and advocacy community leaders have consistently provided to Niagara College and its students.
Representatives from NC’s partner Kansai University in Japan, Dr. Simon Humphries and Dr. Nobuko Anan, were also present, highlighting the international collaborations that are central to Niagara College’s success.
Pivotal moment
The launch of the Institute in May 2024 marked a pivotal moment in Niagara College’s history, acknowledging the college’s commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and global outreach through world-class education and training.
“Our partners and employees have played a critical role in blazing the trail over the last 20 years, positioning us to celebrate our growth and successes,” said the President of Niagara College, Sean Kennedy. “The Institute is a testament to building relationships, dreaming big, and thinking globally, while staying connected to our local communities.”
Sean Coote, Vice President, International, emphasized the mutual benefits of Niagara College’s global partnerships.
“We learn from others around the world as they learn from us, and that two-way learning is a crucial aspect of the Institute’s work,” said Coote. “The transformation experienced by our partners and our teams across the College is what sets us apart as Canada’s leading global college. We are at an amazing point in our history, with an incredible team making significant impacts worldwide.”
Holly Catalfamo, Senior Director, Global Education and Training, highlighted the collective dedication and innovation of the NC team.
“Our mission has always been to empower learners and communities around the globe,” said Catalfamo. “Our team has developed nine programs with a variety of delivery options–including on-campus sessions, virtual programs, and hybrid formats–to collaborate with institutions and organizations committed to sustainable global change through world-class customized education and training.”
Global engagement: opportunities and foundations
Maija Saari, Associate Dean of Culinary, Tourism & Beverage Studies, highlighted the opportunities for Niagara College’s professors and subject matter experts.
“The Institute creates opportunities for our professors and subject matter experts to develop programs and share their knowledge globally,” said Saari. “They end up building valuable global relationships and bringing so much back to Canada. This exchange is crucial for our advancements and innovations.”
Jos Nolle, who served in the International Division from 1995 to 2014 and retired as Chair of International Development, reflected on the early days of global engagement at Niagara College.
“When I was hired in 1995, NC was just beginning to discover the opportunities in international education,” said Nolle. “My passion has always been to work in developing countries on higher education. I had already been to many countries and had a lot of ideas that needed time. The staff had to increase, and institutional capacity had to be built. My belief has always been that we must give back to our community, and for me, that community is global, and giving back means supporting education in other countries. It is very nice to see that it all came to fruition.”
Cindy Andrews, who retired in 2022 after making significant contributions to Niagara College over 20 years, also shared her thoughts on the initial efforts behind the Institute’s creation.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see all the people who have worked tirelessly for years to make this institute a reality,” said Andrews, whose last position at NC was Manager, Global Customized Training & Consulting. “I remember early in my career, being given the amazing opportunity to travel to Argentina. Experiencing different cultures and witnessing the need for upskilling was so motivating–it made me want to give my best and contribute as much as possible.”
The celebration event underscored that the Institute for Global Education and Training is the outcome of the collaborative efforts of faculty, staff, global partners, and supporters who are expanding Niagara College’s global reach.
Niagara College’s Institute for Global Education & Training
Bringing together the expertise of a highly skilled NC team with partner organizations worldwide, Niagara College’s Institute for Global Education & Training proudly provides educational solutions designed to inspire sustainable global change. For over 20 years, NC has been collaborating with global institutions, including developing and delivering customized education and training programs and capacity building projects to support learners around the world and global partners in achieving their goals. Drawing on this expertise, in May 2024 NC established an official global education hub – a one-stop-shop to leverage its world-renowned education and training programs and to offer newly developed modularized global programs. The Institute is committed to pursuing the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For more information about the Institute, you may contact [email protected].
