This is the first in a two-part article series showcasing Niagara College’s Institute for Global Education & Training’s achievements in international development projects in 2024

As International Development Week (IDW) 2025 takes place this week, with its theme Building a Better World Together, it is an ideal time to reflect on Niagara College’s Institute for Global Education and Training contributions to education, equality, and sustainability over the past year.

Each year during IDW, Canada celebrates efforts towards creating a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous planet. In 2024, NC worked on global education projects that empowered communities around the world through innovative initiatives, embodying the values recognized by IDW.

Through its collaboration with partner organizations around the world, NC has delivered six funded global education projects across eight countries, hosted a webinar series on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Green Energy webinar series for 500 participants from over 130 countries.

Over 20 NC experts from 12 departments were involved in the projects that, together, advanced 13 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Here are some of these impactful international development projects.

Empowerment through Skills (ESP-05) Program

In collaboration with Tanzania’s Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MOEST) through the Department of Technical and Vocational Training (DTVET), NC and Seneca Polytecnic work closely with Tanzanian partners, including two Folk Development Colleges (FDCs) in Bigwa and Munguri, and two Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Together, they strive to create short-term courses that meet the needs of the local communities, enabling participants to gain skills for self-employment and employment.

In 2024, NC became the first Canadian college under the ESP umbrella to conduct Train the Trainer sessions in the region, enhancing local expertise and capacity. Additionally, Chef Isa Mottiar from the School of Food & Wine Sciences developed two Culinary Arts short courses, which will be piloted at Bigwa FDC by spring 2025.

The College also collaborated with Tanzanian partners to launch gender and human rights training with the engagement of NC’s Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Accessibility, Samah Sabra and Global Education Projects Associate Director, Quinn de Vries. This initiative resulted in the successful completion of the Gender Equality & Human Rights training by 167 students at Munguri FDC, with support from a local CBO.

To strengthen program sustainability, NC’s Global Education Projects Manager, Esteban Navarro, conducted a marketing workshop, equipping Tanzanian partners with tools to promote new courses and recruit students.

In addition, NC delivered three capacity-building modules for CBO partners, designed and taught by NC School of Business and Management Professor Dawit Eshetu, focusing on Situational Analysis and Monitoring and Evaluation fundamentals.

• SDGs supported: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). 

Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST-01)

NC partners with The Kisumu National Polytechnic, the Marine Institute, and Seneca Polytechnic on this project, aiming to develop skills in key economic sectors and position Kenya as a competitive force in the global blue economy. This initiative focuses on supporting women, youth, and vulnerable populations.

The project launched with an inception mission in the winter, when NC’s Project Manager of Global Education Projects Sasha Gora attended the first all-partners meeting and a Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) orientation session. This initial collaboration helped the partners identify key priorities and successfully deliver the Partnership Workplan by summer.

During its first year, the partnership focuses on course development and adaptation, industry engagement, and gender equality. Niagara College’s contribution began this fall with Professor Krasna Baotic from the School of Liberal Studies joining the project as a Subject-Matter Expert. Krasna is supporting gender initiatives at The Kisumu National Polytechnic and leading a gender needs assessment as part of deliverables aimed at advancing gender equality.

• SDGs supported: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life below Water). 

Young Africa Works in Kenya Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET-14)

Launched in 2021, this project successfully concluded this spring. Aimed at increasing the participation of young Kenyans, particularly women, in market-relevant skills training, the initiative was a collaborative partnership between NC, the National Gender Equality Commission (NGEC), and Sheridan College. The project was supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented through CICan.

The culmination of the TVET-14 project was marked by a Project Closeout event in March, bringing together the project team and gender leads from 26 partner TVET institutions in Kenya. This gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on the project’s achievements, share key insights, and express gratitude for the collective efforts that drove its success.

• SDGs supported: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). 

BILT (Bridging Innovation and Learning in TVET) Clean Energy Webinar series

Through this project, Niagara College strengthened its partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNEVOC) International Centre for TVET, reinforcing its role as a leader in global education and sustainability.

The 2024 Learning Lab webinar series served as a cornerstone of this initiative, focusing on the critical role of TVET in the transition to clean energy. Over four months, NC facilitated inter-regional dialogue through webinars that explored skills development, curriculum integration, collaboration, and innovation in the clean energy sector. The series concluded with a dynamic wrap-up video reflecting on the future of TVET in the green economy.

This webinar series engaged over 500 attendees from more than 130 countries, fostering a diversity of perspectives and promoting global exchange on best practices and innovative approaches.

• SDGs supported: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Niagara College’s Institute for Global Education and Training

Bringing together the expertise of a highly skilled NC team with partner organizations worldwide, Niagara College’s Institute for Global Education and Training proudly provides educational solutions designed to inspire sustainable global change. For over 20 years, NC has collaborated with global institutions to develop and deliver customized education and training programs as well as capacity building projects, empowering learners and global partners to achieve their goals. Building on this expertise, NC launched its official global education hub in May 2024. This resource leverages NC’s world-renowned education and training programs while also offering newly developed modularized global programs. Aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Institute is committed to fostering impactful partnerships and advancing sustainable development through education.