UOIT welcomes exchange students to campus as university strengthens international presence
October 23, 2007
OSHAWA, Ont. - In a strong statement of its growing international reputation, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) has welcomed three exchange students to campus for the first time in its history and signed a number of significant agreements with educational partners around the world.
The students are part of the school's participation in the Ontario/Baden-Württemberg and the Ontario-Rhône-Alpes undergraduate student exchange programs and arrived just as UOIT finalized a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with several international educational institutions, including Southeast University (China); Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy); Canadian University of Dubai (United Arab Emirates); University of Leipzig (Germany); and the Chinese University of Hong Kong Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Community College (China/Hong Kong). UOIT is also in the process of negotiating MOUs for international collaborations with a number of universities in Turkey, Australia, Sweden and India.
"We are proud and honoured to welcome these three outstanding students to our country, our province and our exceptional campus," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to share with these students the innovative education and leading-edge learning benefits that set UOIT apart in the academic community. We're also excited by the announcement of the partnerships with these leading international institutions as they are further affirmation of UOIT's growing prominence beyond the national landscape and onto the global stage."
All three students began their studies at UOIT in September. Selim Meier is a third-year Mechanical Engineering student from Germany and is participating in the Ontario/Baden-Württemberg Student Exchange Program. Séverine Aurivel, from France, is in her third-year of business studies, and Maude Dubray, also from France, is taking fourth-year courses in the Manufacturing Engineering program and third-year International Business and Internet Engineering courses. Aurivel and Dubray are attending UOIT through the Ontario-Rhône-Alpes exchange program.
The MOUs will allow UOIT to establish and promote strong partnerships with the students and faculties of each institution, which may include offering joint degrees and diplomas and additional international student exchanges. These international partnerships have been strategically developed as a response to today's technology-driven economy and the necessity for globally experienced students to step directly into their chosen careers.
While the new initiatives are creating more opportunities for UOIT students to study abroad through scholarships and exchanges, they were also developed to showcase the province and UOIT as a destination of choice for international students.
"These initial exchanges are just the tip of the iceberg," said Matt Milovick, director of Academic Planning and Operations. "These ongoing negotiations give UOIT students the opportunity to benefit from the excellent institutions and first-class education available worldwide and establish UOIT's growing international presence. Through UOIT's new International Opportunities Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from each of the faculties, graduate studies, research services and international recruitment areas, we look forward to exploring further opportunities in the months ahead to bring additional good news that will benefit our students."
About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 5,000 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science, and its School of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.
Media contact
Michelle Good
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2197
michelle.good@uoit.ca
