RDP, NESC and University of Trinidad and Tobago broaden Memorandum of Understanding
Photo (l-r): Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic, Prakash Persad, President of University of Trinidad and Tobago, Kern Dass, President of NESC Technical Institute.
Today, Red Deer Polytechnic signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Trinidad and Tobago’s NESC Technical Institute and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) to grow opportunities in training, research and innovation.
The new MoU expands on the 2015 agreement between the three institutions, which collaborated in the training, development and certification of workers in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.
“Through this expanded collaboration, RDP’s strength in applied technical and trades education is making a difference on an international scale,” says Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic, who signed the agreement in Trinidad and Tobago. “Our three institutions are committed to serving industry and training job-ready graduates, many of whom go on to work for companies with a presence in both our countries.”
The MoU promotes the future of Technical and Vocational Educational Training in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region. The enhanced agreement also advances knowledge and cultural exchange. As well, it increases opportunities for staff and student mobility between Trinidad and Tobago and Canada by working with both public and private organizations in relevant industries.
As a polytechnic, RDP offers industry-relevant programming, training, and applied research opportunities that make an impact provincially, nationally and globally.
Through the MoU, Red Deer Polytechnic faculty and staff will provide expertise in supervising research and innovation activities at NESC Technical Institute and UTT, helping to solve economic and societal challenges.
The three institutions continue to look for ways to enhance the objectives of the MoU, which include engaging with government and non-government agencies.
The signing of this MoU also supports Red Deer Polytechnic’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and SDG Accord. Through this agreement, RDP helps to provide quality education, promote productive employment and economic growth, and reduce inequalities on a global level.
In 2008, Red Deer Polytechnic first formed a partnership in Trinidad and Tobago with NESC Technical Institute. Since that collaboration developed into an Affiliation Agreement in 2016, more than 375 students have graduated as skilled trades professionals in Trinidad and Tobago.