LOCAL INSTITUTIONS NETWORK WITH INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

The key to growth and improvement often lies in making strong partnerships for sustainability.  In an effort to promote linkages between local and international education and training providers, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) in partnership with Opportunity for Africa and Australia (OAA) Study hosted a networking session for Australian and Canadian Universities and Colleges. The event sought to facilitate ‘meet and greet’ with local Education and Training Providers (ETPs) on Tuesday 18th September 2018 in the HRDC Gardens. 

Local education and training institutions, Media and other Stakeholders from Government were invited to this session. The overarching objective of the event was to promote international education as defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommendation of 1974 as a process resulting from international understanding, cooperation and peace. Welcoming guests during the session, Dr Raphael Dingalo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HRDC said, ‘‘Your mission as institutions providing teaching and learning experience should be to help students develop a worldview and analyse issues from varied perspectives”. He further implored them to understand the wide range of human experiences and celebrate the diversity of humanity, with the views to enhance global citizenship.

‘‘Our role is to facilitate, coordinate and simplify Study Abroad Programmes between Education and Training Providers and learners such as Graduate Enrichment Programme Partnership, Admission Processing, VISA Application, Pre-Departure Services, Arrival Services and Student Support services,’’ said Mr Matthias Ehizua, Managing Director of OAA Study when presenting an overview of his organisation. Learners studying a semester or a year abroad gain valuable work experience, paid employment and will build networks for the future. Institutions will be able to expand programme content and specialisation. It is also a source of internalisation of the curriculum and they will also be able to facilitate study abroad opportunities for students. International Institutions which were present for this networking session were Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology from Canada, Kaplan Business School and the Engineering Institute of Technology from Australia. The international institutions also participated in exhibitions that were held at Game City and at Fairgrounds.

OAA Study Company is a student’s placement agency, specialising in student placement, training and business development for Universities and Colleges. The agency focuses on connecting students and professionals towards appropriate study opportunities locally and abroad. It also offers targeted marketing and provides in-depth one on one consulting services in Australia, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa.