OTTAWA, ONTARIO, January 13, 2010 — Eight innovative transatlantic exchange projects have created new international learning opportunities for Canadian students and post-secondary institutions through funding from the Government of Canada’s International Academic Mobility initiative.
“The Government of Canada is providing students with opportunities to develop international skills and competencies needed to succeed in the labour market and the global economy”, said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister for Human Resources and Skills Development.
These eight exchange projects, which began in September 2009, are examples of ongoing education and training partnerships between the European Union and Canada. The $1.6 million provided for these exchanges has been funded under the Canada-European Union Program for Cooperation in Higher Education, Training and Youth, a component of the International Academic Mobility initiative. Over the next three years, nearly 500 students benefit from these exchange projects.
The projects comprise a diverse range of academic disciplines, such as Engineering, Computer Science, Agriculture, Earth Science, Neuroscience, and Co-operative Education, as well as Multidisciplinary studies. Each project has a duration of three years and includes a partnership of at least two post-secondary institutions in Canada, and two in Europe. These projects are led in Canada by institutions from across the country from British Columbia to the Maritimes including colleges, universities and vocational institutes.
In 1995, Canada and the European Union formally agreed to work together on international curriculum development, educational innovation, student mobility and training opportunities. Since then, approximately 4,000 students and over 200 Canadian and European Union educational institutions have been part of 97 transatlantic partnerships.
The International Academic Mobility initiative offers a range of opportunities by supporting student mobility and academic cooperation through exchanges in post-secondary institutions in Canada and partner countries. The other key component is the Program for North American (Canada-US-Mexico) Mobility in Higher Education.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
To learn more about the initiatives, visit:
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/learning/exchanges/iam_program/canada_eu_2009
For further information (media only):
Ryan Sparrow
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Diane Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
