13 September 2010
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canada’s education and training sector stakeholders will meet to discuss export opportunities, during the first ever Atlantic Education and Training Sector Symposium, to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on September 16-17, 2010. This trade building initiative is made possible with federal and provincial financial assistance through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA).
"Our Government is committed to helping Atlantic Canada’s education and training sector succeed on the international stage," said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "This initiative will help broaden the reach of our education and training exports while increasing the region’s competitiveness in the global marketplace."
"Nova Scotia companies and institutions are already successfully exporting education and training services around the world – growing our province’s economy and creating jobs for Nova Scotians," said the Honourable Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development. "The province stands to benefit a great deal by this initiative as our companies and institutions combine knowledge and experience in pursuit of new business opportunities."
The Atlantic Education and Training Sector Symposium builds upon the four Atlantic Provinces’ growing education and training sector exports, while exploring opportunities for a more coordinated approach to marketing the region. The event brings together close to 60 representatives of Atlantic Canada’s education and training sector, including institutions and businesses that are either actively pursuing or interested in global market opportunities in such areas as Asia and South America.
A study by the Conference Board of Canada notes that the worldwide market for education services will triple over the next 20 years. The overall demand for education and training services is currently estimated at being worth US$1 trillion.
The symposium is being organized by EduNova Cooperative Ltd., a not-for-profit association representing Nova Scotia universities, community colleges, school boards and private sector training companies. Incorporated in 2004, the association coordinates various education and training projects in the international marketplace.
"For the first time, public and private members of the Education and Training sectors of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador will come together to discuss opportunities for collaboration in international markets," said Ava Czapalay, President and CEO of EduNova. "We are confident of the potential of Atlantic Canada to become a power-hub within the global knowledge economy."
A total of $60,865 in funding for this initiative is being provided through the IBDA, a federal/provincial agreement between the Government of Canada (ACOA, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada. The agreement is designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses enter, explore and succeed in international markets. The IBDA is the leading component of a pan-Atlantic effort to foster business relations, attract foreign investment and nurture technological co-operation.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Stakeholders from Atlantic Canada’s education and training sector are meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia during a symposium, on September 16-17, 2010. The group will explore opportunities for a more coordinated approach to marketing the region’s education and training exports.
ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield said the Government of Canada is proud to support an initiative that helps to broaden the reach of Atlantic Canada’s education and training exports while increasing the region’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.
A total of $60,865 in funding for this trade initiative is being provided by the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBD), a federal/provincial agreement between the Government of Canada (ACOA, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada. The IBDA is designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses enter, explore and succeed in international markets.
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INFORMATION:
Rose May Gallant
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-3034
Rose-May.Gallant@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Lisa Bond
Marketing Communications Specialist
Nova Scotia Business Inc.
902-424-4579
lbond@nsbi.ca
