Educational Joint Ventures

Historical Background

In 2000-2001, Holland College signed a number of Educational Joint Venture (EJV) agreements with partner Colleges and Institutes across China. The primary objective of these ventures was to share educational methodology and to create educational and career opportunities for students, both in China and in Canada. By design, the programs would be three (3) years in duration and the first year (1) would be a preparatory year with a concentration in English. Year One would also contain mandatory courses that would enable students to acquire a Chinese College diploma. The second and third year would be exclusively devoted to the delivery of a number of two-year Holland College diploma programs. Each program would be delivered in English and enable students to earn a Holland College Canadian credential without leaving China.

Methodology

The EJV programs are delivered using a North American Educational Methodology called Competency Based Education (CBE). CBE or Performance Based Education is a methodology that identifies the specific skills and outcomes that a student must master or perform to successfully complete the program. Each program is designed to meet the expectations of business and industry and the outcomes or objectives of the program are clearly identified so that students are always at the centre of their learning experience.

Benefits of Program for Students

The EJV programs offered in China are a duplicate of the programs offered by Holland College in Canada. Students receive the same credential and are skilled to work in industry. An EJV program is an investment in a student's future. The most obvious benefits are:

• Students develop enhanced English language and communication skills, confidence, and a strong understanding of the expectation of industry
• The CBE methodology requires students to develop hands-on or performable technical and professional skills that are easily recognizable by an employer
• The students receive two diplomas - one from China and one from Canada
• Students can transfer their course credits and continue their education in Canada

In summary, students who successfully complete an EJV program should have a competitive edge in the workforce and the ability to continue their studies elsewhere.

International Projects

Enhanced Rural Teacher Training Project

The goal of the project is to increase student success in rural and remote ethnic minority populations of Sichuan province by enhancing the learning environment in the critical early years of schooling through improved inservice training and support for kindergarten/primary schoolteachers. Enhancing student success in the early years facilitates improved student retention, motivation, and achievement of learning outcomes and builds a strong foundation for future achievements in secondary education, employment and/or higher education. It is the essential foundation for reducing poverty and enhancing social and economic opportunity for the province's disadvantaged minorities.

The purpose of the project is to assist the Sichuan Provincial Department of Education in developing and implementing program and policy initiatives in the areas of inservice teacher training and resources rationalization designed to improve the skills of kindergarten/primary schoolteachers, enhancing their ability to promote and support individual student success.