SIAST Graduates in Mauritius

The first graduates in Mauritius received SIAST diplomas in Business Administration this fall.

Through a brokerage arrangement with the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) and the Canadian International Training and Education Corp (CITREC), students in Mauritius can receive a valuable Canadian credential without having to leave their home country.

The diploma program is delivered by local instructors to fee-paying students.

The 13 Mauritian students who have received their SIAST diplomas qualify to further their education at Canadian institutions with which SIAST has transfer credit agreements. And upon graduation in Canada, international students may also qualify to seek permanent residence in Saskatchewan under the graduate category of the Saskatchewan Immigration Nomination Program (SINP).

SIAST has been offering the two-year diploma program in Mauritus, an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, since 2009.

Kelly-Anne Riess, mySIAST Editor
SIAST Marketing and Communications

(L-R) Canadian High Commissioner to Mauritius, Her Excellency Adele Dion, CITREC CEO Ashwant Dwivedi and UOM Vice Chancellor Prof Konrad Morgan during the Signing of Partnership Agreement. between UOM and CITREC.

The  Canadian  International  Training  &  Education  Corp  (CITREC) and the University of Mauritius (UOM) have signed a partnership agreement that will  ensure  that  UOM  graduates  receive  transfer  credits towards  their  study  of Canada’s Certified General Accountants Association certification (CGA) program.

This historic agreement signed between UOM and CITREC was witnessed by Canadian High Commissioner to Mauritius Her Excellency Adele Dion who praised the signing of the agreement between CITREC and UOM as a major step towards strengthening education partnership with Canada.

The agreement was signed by visiting CITREC CEO Ashwant Dwivedi and UoM Vice Chancellor Professor Konrad Morgan.

In another major achievement by the UOM, as part of its agreement, CGA Canada in partnership with CITREC has  evaluated  UOM  degree  standards  and found  them  to  be substantially equivalent to Canadian degree standards.  As such an undergraduate  degree  from the  UOM  in  any discipline  is  recognized  by  CGA  Canada  as  having  met  the university degree requirement.

As a CGA policy, all students will be required to have a university degree that is assessed  as  equivalent  to  a  Canadian  university  degree.  UOM becomes  the  first University  in  Mauritius  and  the  first  in  the  Southern  African Development Community  (SADC)  to  have  reached  this  agreement  with  CITREC  and  CGA Canada. The degree from UOM may  be  in  any  discipline,  not  just accounting  or business. This degree combines versatile management education and core business skills that compliment CGA’s accounting and financial management professional studies. A student who does not have a university degree from an institute that is recognized by CGA Canada cannot graduate with the CGA designation, however the student can still enroll in CGA program and work towards receiving the degree.

“We all recognize the power of collaboration and look forward to the benefits that this productive relationship will provide to our respective organizations.  With our combined force, UOM students can look forward to international learning opportunities which will stand them in good stead for their future careers in the global accounting economy,” CGA Canada Vice-President International Lyle Handfield said.

Mr. Handfield said that CGA Canada works closely with tertiary institutions around the world ensuring students meet the association’s high academic and professional standards.

“Through our representative CITREC, this new agreement will provide Mauritian students with the opportunity to earn a prestigious university degree and internationally recognized professional accounting designation” Mr. Handfield said.

CITREC CEO Mr. Dwivedi said that as part  of  this  agreement, students  of  UOM  who  decide  to  pursue  the  CGA designation  will receive  multiple  course  credit  towards CGA’s  foundation  and advanced level courses towards their study of the CGA program.

“For the Foundation  Studies  (Levels  1  –  3)  of  the  CGA  program a  UOM  student who has graduated with a BSc (Hons) Accounting program will receive a number of transfer credits  towards  the  CGA  foundation  and Advanced Level study,” Mr Dwivedi said.

Mr. Dwivedi also announced the opportunity for the UoM to offer advance level courses by incorporating CGA curriculum into its current business program.

” I am pleased to offer this opportunity to UoM on behalf of CGA Canada,” Mr. Dwivedi said.

Mauritians  who  have  other  designations,  which  include  ACCA, CPA  Australia, CPA Ireland and OEC France, can also apply to receive CGA designation. The  CGA  Designation  is  recognized  throughout  Canada  and  around the  world. CGA  represents  a  network  of  more  then  75,000  members  who  are working  in Canada and around the world.

This unique partnership will also allow those waiting to go to Canada as permanent residents and temporary foreign workers to improve their chances of being employed in Canada’s tourism sector by taking the emerit certification. emerit tourism training and certification, is recognized across Canada.

CTHRC President Wendy Swedlove has welcomed the partnership saying the emerit program will provide people with the opportunity to be Job Ready when they arrive in Canada.

“The economic slowdown over the past couple of years has provided a temporary reprieve from labour shortage, but the underlying demographic realities still exist, and labour shortages will once again be a major concern for Canadian tourism operators. Our Tourism Labour and Supply Demand Study shows that Canada could face shortages equivalent to almost 219,000 jobs by 2025. The opportunity to access emerit training abroad will be advantageous for those looking for work in Canada, because employers looking for staff are generally hiring for attitude and aptitude, but being able to demonstrate you have the requisite knowledge , based on Canadian standards is the added piece that could help you be successful” CTHRC President Ms. Swedlove said.

The latest update of the Tourism Labour Supply and Demand study for Canada’s tourism sector shows that as demand for labour grows, the pool of available workers will have an increasingly difficult time keeping up. Canada’s population is aging, causing a significant deceleration in labour force growth over the long term. The consequences of labour shortages—such as missed opportunities for investment in the sector and the inability to meet potential demand—could cost Canadian tourism businesses billions of dollars.

Four of the five tourism occupations expected to face the most significant shortage of workers are found primarily in the food and beverage services industry. In absolute terms, by 2025, food counter attendants and kitchen helpers could suffer a shortage equivalent to 49,000 full-year jobs, while food and beverage servers are projected to face a shortage equivalent to 43,000 full-year jobs. Other occupations in the top five lists of shortages include cooks, bartenders, and program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport.

CITREC will also be launching a National Job Data Bank in January 2012 that will allow Canadian employers to hire emerit certified graduates  with confidence from overseas.

The course being offered  in India  features the world-renowned emerit® Tourism Training resources developed by CTHRC. Students who successfully pass one of the occupation-specific online exams at the completion of the program will be awarded  emerit® Occupational Knowledge certificate. These certificates are issued on behalf of  CTHRC by  Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council (STEC), and are of equivalent value to those issued within Canada.

CTHRC is the only tourism sector council in Canada. The Council serves as a national forum to facilitate human resource development activities, which will support a globally competitive and sustainable Canadian tourism industry. Working with businesses, industry associations, labour, educators, and government, they establish and implement National Occupational Standards, training and Professional Certification for the tourism industry. CTHRC receives funding from the Government of Canada .

STEC Director Ms. Carol Lumb has enthusiastically welcomed the partnership.

“We are thrilled that Canada’s tourism training is being recognized internationally. It is a testament to the many industry professionals who were  integral to the development of the Occupational standards; that are so widely used across Canada. To have these standards become available overseas validates the hard work and commitment of all involved,” Ms. Lumb said.

Ms.Lumb said that STEC will also be offering Serve it Right Saskatchewan and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) as part of the training programs in India.

SIRS program was developed in partnership with the beverage alcohol industry and government based on a commitment to ensure activities associated with the sale of alcohol are conducted with integrity and in a socially responsible manner. The ultimate goal of SIRS is to promote responsible alcohol service in Saskatchewan.

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada’s national hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS “controlled products”, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education and training programs.

CITREC CEO Mr. Ashwant Dwivedi said that the partnership with Butari will allow international clients to access emerit training in India, and to obtain an Occupational Knowledge Certificate same as that obtained in Canada by a Canadian student.

“We are honoured to enter into partnership with Butari Training & Assessment Pvt Ltd and I am confident that the launch of the emerit program will be an advantage to foreign nationals who have always wanted to gain Canadian-recognized credentials in the tourism and hospitality sector,” Mr. Dwivedi said.

” CITREC will be providing Canadian employers with the opportunity to access a pool of emerit qualified persons. With the increasing demand for tourism workers  the CITREC managed job data bank will provide Canadian employers  an avenue to choose foreign tourism workers with confidence,” Mr. Dwivedi said.

“The 46 tourism occupation resources represent the broad spectrum of tourism careers available today. The standards are national guidelines that assist tourism professionals in acquiring the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to achieve excellence. ,” states Mr. Dwivedi.

About CTHRC

The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) is a national organization that facilitates and coordinates human resources development activities, which support a globally competitive, and sustainable Canadian tourism sector. The Council conducts labour market research (www.cthrc.ca), offers training and recognition under the emerit tourism training brand (www.emerit.ca), promotes the advantages of working in the sector through Discover Tourism (www.discovertourism .ca), and helps identify companies with positive HR practices through its employee-rated Employer of Choice program.

About STEC

STEC is a  award-winning division of Tourism Saskatchewan. As a Tourism Human Resource Organization, it is committed to the provision of education and training that supports professional growth and human resource development in Saskatchewan’s tourism sector. Since 1990, it has supported a professional tourism workforce by developing, promoting, coordinating, and evaluating industry-managed standards, certification, career awareness, and training. STEC has one of the highest per capita participation rates in Professional Certification across Canada, and participates in over 95% of all national development activities. This ensures that Saskatchewan’s tourism sector is represented in all program and product development across the nation. STEC also works in partnership with the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission to offer apprenticeships in two trades: Food and Beverage Person and Guest Services Representative. These apprenticeships are the first of their kind in Canada.

About CITREC

CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL TRAINING & EDUCATION CORP. (CITREC) offers Canadian standard education and training beyond borders in collaboration with our partner institutions. CITREC specializes in bringing Canadian institutions and certification programs to the world and making Canadian education more accessible globally. CITREC introduces and promotes knowledge solutions aimed at preparing youth to become leaders and succeed in the global workforce. CITREC is committed to quality, not quantity. CITREC partners include the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), which is Saskatchewan’s primary public institution for skills training and technical education, recognized nationally and internationally. CITREC endeavors to provide the best education options and life-enriching experiences to students worldwide. The programs offered by CITREC are recognized in Canada and the qualifications are the same as those obtained by Canadian students. CITREC has also partnered with the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, which is a self-regulating, professional association of 75,000 students, and Certified General Accountants — CGAs.

CITREC’s partnership with the CanadianTourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) and the Saskatchewan Tourism Human Resource Council brings Canadian tourism certification to foreign countries in a classroom setting.

Kwantlen’s President and Vice-Chancellor John McKendry (L) and CITREC CEO Ashwant Dwivedi signed the MoU in a ceremony last week.

Canada’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University and the Canadian International Training & Education Corp. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that opens doors for introduction of Canadian Education in the Solomon Islands.

 Kwantlen’s President and Vice-Chancellor John McKendry and CITREC CEO Ashwant Dwivedi signed the MoU in a ceremony last week.

 In partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University, CITREC will carry out an academic feasibility study in the Solomon Islands that will assist both parties in consultation with the Solomon Islands government to identify academic programs which can be offered.  Kwantlen Chancellor Arvinder Bubber witnessed the historic ceremony.

 “This is the first partnership between Kwantlen and Citrec, and we are excited about  the opportunities it will provide to students of the Solomon Islands” said Kwantlen President John McKendry.

 CITREC CEO Mr. Dwivedi welcomed the partnership saying Kwantlen’s presence in the Solomon Islands will help build educational bi-lateral relations between both Canada and the Solomon Islands.

 “  When you take a Country’s education to another Country, it is not only the curriculum that is imparted but also values, tradition and opportunities to those citizens of that country,” Mr. Dwivedi said.

 Mr. Dwivedi said that through the establishment of a Canadian program students are presented with the opportunity to study in their home country and obtain Canadian credentials.

 The Government of the Solomon Islands and the Canadian International Training & Education Corp. (CITREC) have an agreement that will see Canadian certificate, diploma and degree programs being offered in the Solomon Islands. As part of its partnership with CITREC, Solomon Islands will also include the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) emerit tourism program to be offered in a classroom setting.

 Solomon Islands Minister for Education and Minister Responsible for Human Resources Hon. Dick Ha’amori has signed the agreement on behalf of the Solomon Islands government following Cabinet endorsement.

 Solomon Islands Prime Minister Honourable Danny Philip has welcomed Canadian  Educational Institutions to come into the country to provide Canadian Education to Solomon Islanders.

“This opportunity will provide internationally recognized qualifications at an affordable cost to the locals,” Prime Minister Philip said in a media statement.

 Prime Minister Philip further added that with the Canadian qualifications Solomon Islanders have improved chances to compete in overseas job markets especially in Canada where such opportunities are known to exist.

Early this year, a senior ministerial delegation visited Canada in order to strengthen ties between the two countries. The delegation included Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, Minister Ha’amori, as well as Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Canada, Collin Beck.

 Kwantlen Polytechnic University was among one of the Universities that was visited by the Ministerial delegation. The visit was facilitated by CITREC.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Hon. Danny Philip.

The Government of the Solomon Islands and the Canadian International Training & Education Corp. (CITREC) have entered into an agreement that will see Canadian certificate, diploma and degree programs being offered in the Solomon Islands.

As part of its partnership with CITREC, Solomon Islands will also include the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) emerit tourism program to be offered in a classroom setting.CTHRC is Canada’s Tourism Sector Council, which brings together industry, labour, and government and education sectors together to discuss and find solutions to Canada’s ongoing and pending human resource needs.

Solomon Islands Minister for Education and Minister Responsible for Human Resources Hon. Dick Ha’amori signed the agreement on behalf of the Solomon Islands following cabinet endorsement.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Honourable Danny Philip has welcomed the Canadian Tertiary Education Institutions to come into the country to provide Canadian Tertiary Education to Solomon Islanders.

“This opportunity will provide internationally recognized qualifications at affordable cost to the locals,” Prime Minister Philip said.

Prime Minister Philip further added that with the Canadian qualifications Solomon Islander have improved chances to compete in the overseas job markets especially in Canada where such opportunities have been known to exist.

Early this year, a senior ministerial delegation visited Canada in order to strengthen ties between the two countries. The delegation included Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, Minister Ha’amori, as well as Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Canada Collin Beck.

Minister Ha’amori welcomed the partnership saying this will present Solomon Islanders with the opportunity to obtain Canadian credentials in their home country and also present Solomon Islanders with the opportunity to study in Canada.

“ Through this partnership CITREC on-behalf of the government of the Solomon Islands will work in the states best interest to explore opportunities to deliver Canadiancertificate, diploma and degree programs for Solomon Islanders in the coming months,” Minister Ha’amori said.

Minister Ha’amori said that CITREC will also refer students from the Solomon Islands to the best publicly funded Canadian educational institutes in Canada.

“ Presently we send our students to neighbouring Fiji Islands, even to Cuba and we will now include Canada among the countries which we propose to send our students to for further study,” Minister Ha’amori said.

Minister Ha’amori confirmed that CITREC is holding talks with major Canadian universities which have expressed interest to offer Canadian university programs in the Solomon Islands through establishment of a satellite university campus.

“ I am anticipating visits by University Presidents and Deans of universities from Canada to the Solomon Islands in the coming months,” Minister Ha’amori confirmed.

In the near future Canadian university programs will be offered in a classroom setting in the Solomon Islands by establishing a university campus.Minister Ha’amori said that CITREC’s partnership with Government of the Solomon Islands also include the establishment of a Canadian Knowledge Centre which will house all Canadian programs and be accessible to neighbouring Islands nations.

CITREC CEO Mr. Ashwant Dwivedi welcomed the partnership with the Solomon Islands government saying Canadian education has a lot to offer and the education partnership between Canada and the Solomon Islands will offer many opportunities for both countries.

” CITREC is privileged to have entered into partnership with the government of the Solomon Islands. This partnership will present Solomon Island nationals with the much awaited opportunity to gain Canadian-recognized credentials in their home country,” Mr. Dwivedi said.

Mr. Dwivedi said that certificates, diplomas, degrees and any other certification made available to students in Solomon Islands would be the same as that awarded to a student in Canada.

Read more by visiting the Alberta Hansard report.

Read official Media Relase by clicking the weblink below

http://www.siast.sk.ca/marketing/documents/SIASTexpandsoperationsoverseas-MediaReleaseMar24-11.pdf

Hon. Agovaka with Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid British Columbia’s Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment and Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat.

Solomon Islands delegation members at the official function at the Government House. (L-R) Ashwant Dwivedi, CEO CITREC, His Excellency Collin Beck, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Canada, Hon.Dickson Ha’amori, His Honour The Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Hon.Peter Agovaka and Chief Desk Officer Americas and UN Trevor Unusu.

                                 Solomon Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs Honourable Peter Agovaka with Provincial Secretary and Minister for Education for the Saskatchewan Government Honourable Donna Harpauer.

Hon. Agovaka (L-R) with Assistant Deputy Minister Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Rupen Pandya for the Saskatchewn government and CITREC CEO Ashwant Dwivedi.

Hon.  Agovaka examines an artifical patient at the Saskatchewan Institutue of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) nursing division. Solomon Islands is considering the establishment of a school of nursing that will offer the Canadian nursing program in partnership with CITREC -SIAST and other Canadian Universities.

Solomon Island Minister for Education Hon. Dickson Ha’amori (R) and Hon. Agovaka visit the SIAST Faculty of Dentistry.

Office of Prime Minister, Honiara: The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka and the Minister for Education and Human Resources Hon Dick Ha’amori completed a weeklong visit to Canada in partnership with CITREC last week.

The Ministers introduced Solomon Islands and followed up with the three Canadian Provinces, namely British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan on Labour, Trade, Education and Tourism Opportunities.

The delegation met and spoke with potential buyers of Cassava and Taro in British Columbia, held discussion with Canadian Federal Food Inspection Authority and met with educational institutions and the provincial tourism Bureau.

The delegation also explored labour markets in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Discussions were held with various Provincial Governments Ministers and authorities. Offers of long term arrangements were heard of which the Government is looking into the details in partnership with CITREC.

The visit was considered a success with visits now being planned by the Canadian Private sector to the country by potential buyers and more talks in country.

The two Ministers are expected to hold a press conference in Honiara on Friday 9th March, 2011.

The Ministers are pleased to return last Friday after touring in sub zero temperatures.

The temperature in Alberta was minus twenty-nine degrees Celsius and in Saskatchewan was below forty-one degrees Celsius.

http://www.pmc.gov.sb/content/solomon-islands-ministerial-delegation-concludes-canada-visit