The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) and Algonquin College signed a Letter of Intent today during a virtual signing held in Nassau and Ottawa respectively. This five-year partnership will strengthen cooperation while providing international educational opportunities to enhance both institutions and their students through future collaborations.
Emerging out of a Bahamas Government Mission to Canada led by Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable I. Chester Cooper and former Minister of State for Education, the Honourable Zane Lightbourne, the collaboration will relate to reciprocal areas of interest, which contribute to the development of the cooperative relationship.
BTVI’s Interim President, Dr. Linda A. Davis, expressed pride in adding Algonquin College to its growing list of partnerships with colleges and universities.
“This letter of intent symbolizes the beginning of what we expect to be a mutually beneficial relationship for our students, staff and faculty. It is these relationships which create pathways for student exchanges, and professional development for staff and faculty. International, cross cultural exposure at other institutions of higher learning deepens experiences and allows for the addition of skills,” said Dr. Davis.
Algonquin College President and Chief Executive Officer, Claude Brulé, commented on the opportunities that will become available as a result of the agreement.
“The agreement will offer expanded opportunities for our learners, faculty and employees to collaborate with internationally recognized applied training institutions. We look forward to building on our shared knowledge to further innovation and education capabilities between our two institutions,” said Mr. Brulé.
The agreement will establish cooperation programmes between BTVI and Algonquin College that will result in a mutually beneficial, long-term relationship between the two organisations. Collaborative activities may include developing short-term reciprocal faculty and/or staff exchanges, student exchanges through the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP), programme development and collaborative initiatives in applied research.
BTVI provides career training which equips its graduates to be workforce ready. The institution offers over 40 industry-certified diploma and certificate courses, in addition to Associate of Applied Science degrees at campuses in New Providence and Grand Bahama and at several locations throughout the Family Islands – several of which, including Abaco and Eleuthera, are poised to become full instructional sites in the coming months.
Shown here from at Algonquin College, Canada, following the virtual signing are left to right: Manager, Government Relations and Special Advisor to the President, Algonquin College, Michael Qaqish; Associate Vice President, Global, Online and Corporate Learning, Algonquin College, Patrick Devey; President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Algonquin College, Claude Brulé; High Commissioner of The Bahamas to Ottawa, His Excellency V. Alfred Gray; First Secretary, Bahamas High Commission, Nahaja Black and Second Secretary, Bahamas High Commission, Crystal Rolle.
Photo: Algonquin College