GMIT Mayo and Canadian College Sign new Exchange Agreement

GMIT Mayo Campus has announced a new partnership with Niagara College, Canada, which will provide international exchange opportunities for students and staff of Early Childhood Education and Care degree courses in both colleges.

Professor Neville McClenaghan, Vice-President for GMIT Mayo Campus and Justin Kerr, Head of Department of Nursing, Health Sciences and Social Care, formally welcomed Carol Phillips, Associate Dean, Community Services, Niagara College, Ontario, Canada, to Castlebar last month (October) to tour the campus, meet students and staff on both the L7 and L8 programmes and sign a Programme Articulation Agreement (PAA) between the two Higher Education colleges.

GMIT Mayo and Canadian College Sign Agreement

It is proposed that the Early Childhood Education and Care students will have an opportunity to study a semester in Ontario in the second year of their course while students from Niagara College will also be able to study in GMIT Mayo in the third and/or fourth year of the L7 (Ordinary) and L8 (Honours) courses respectively.

Justin Kerr, Head of Department says: “These exchange opportunities offer students a rich experience while broadening their horizons and gaining an international perspective on early childhood practices.”

Mary Skillington, lecturer on the BA in Early Childhood Education and Care, says: “Studying a semester abroad gives students fantastic opportunities to understand, adapt and learn from different cultures and expand their knowledge. It will also help them develop greater independence and self-confidence. It will prepare our graduates to be work-ready and enhance links with Niagara College’s ‘Be World Ready’ initiative.”