College/RED Board building linkages with Ireland
2/9/2001 4:00:33 PM
Stephenville, February 9, 2001 - College of the North Atlantic is working closely with the Long Range Regional Economic Development Board (Zone 9) to facilitate youth, community, and business development initiatives in Ireland and Newfoundland.
The college is also developing a number of initiatives with partners in Ireland that will lead to further institutional cooperation and economic development in both regions.
Specifically, the college is developing a permanent linkage program with the Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT), in County Donegal, Ireland.
“This relationship has spun off new opportunities for cooperation including; strategic alliance between regional industries, employment opportunities for youth, and various cultural exchange projects,” says Chris Bowers, International Liaison Officer with the college.
In June 2000, College of the North Atlantic hosted the Irish President's Awards or Gaisce Award from County Donegal. This organization is similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards active in Commonwealth countries. Sixteen participants, chaperones, and representatives were involved with various community development projects and outdoor activities on the west coast of the province.
The college also partnered with Memorial University of Newfoundland in April 2000, to manage a Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Youth International Internship Program (YIIP). This program enables youth to gain valuable work experience in a global context. The college and Memorial University were eventually awarded 21 international placements, seven of which are currently working in the North West of Ireland.
A requirement of the YIIP program is to perform ‘in country’ assessments. Therefore, Bowers along with Glenn Kirby of the college and Tom Hutchings, Executive Director of the Long Range RED Board, traveled to Ireland to meet with the Interns. Bowers said while they were in Ireland they also met with representatives from Gaisce, the Letterkenny Institute of Technology, various industry organizations, and private sector companies to explore a variety of opportunities. The trip took them to Letterkenny, Lifford, Galway, Sligo, Tullamore, and Dublin.
Hutchings also indicated that the Board has been working with the college to create a formal business network on the west coast of Newfoundland. The purpose of the network will be to further explore opportunities in Ireland. A number of prospective companies have been identified and initial meetings were held on October 30 and 31, 2000.
College of the North Atlantic and the Long Range RED Board have prepared a report about the Irish Partnership that outlines some recommendations and proposed follow-up activities. Hutchings said there will be a public meeting at the college Lecture Theatre in D.S.B. Fowlow Building, 432 Massachusetts Drive, Stephenville, on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 starting at 7 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to outline the findings from the trip and to brief organizations and businesses in the region.
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For more information contact:
Chris Bowers, College of the North Atlantic
643-7924
Tom Hutchings, Long Range RED Board
643-3318