Nov 30, 2011
Vancouver, BC, November 28, 2011 – A jobs and trade mission to Asia led
by BC Premier Christy Clark has resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between Langara College and India’s Royal Institute of
Nursing (RIN) that paves the way for collaboration on student and faculty
exchanges.
The delegation, which saw more than 120 BC companies and organizations
travel to China and India, was the largest ever trade mission undertaken by the
province. Premier Clark described the expedition as having three goals:
“strengthening our existing relationships in the Asia-Pacific region; opening
new doors; and setting the stage for future opportunities with China and
India.”
Langara’s VP Academic and Provost Dr. Martin Gerson, along with the
Division Chair of Health Sciences Ajay Patel, accompanied Premier Clark on the
journey to explore opportunities for the College overseas. The Langara
delegates signed a new MOU with the RIN, an agreement that will enable both
institutions to pursue collaborations that enrich the global education
experience for their respective students and faculties. Students enrolled in
Langara’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) will now have the opportunity to
seek community placements in India through the RIN as part of their program
requirements. The MOU also allows both institutions to explore other activities
of mutual interest, including joint research and faculty development projects.
“Our visit to India, as part of the BC Government’s trade mission, was
a very successful initiative for Langara,” says Gerson. “India is a very
exciting country, where post-secondary education of all sorts is growing at a
tremendous rate.”
“This MOU will allow both institutions to pursue collaborations that
will enhance the global educational experience for our respective students and
faculty,” adds Patel. “Specifically, the MOU will allow Langara’s Bachelor of
Science in Nursing (BSN) students to participate in ‘for credit’ placements in
India through the RIN. This opportunity will give Langara’s BSN students a real
global perspective in nursing.”
Patel also expressed interest in exploring similar opportunities for
Langara’s School of Nursing in other countries once the logistics of the
partnership with the RIN are settled.
While on the trade mission Gerson and Patel also visited INSCOL
Academy in Chandigarh, one of India’s leading healthcare service providers,
with whom Langara signed an MOU in August this year. This partnership has so
far led to the establishment of the first-ever Post-Graduate Certificate in
Nursing Leadership and Management for International Nurses in Western Canada.
About the Royal Institute of Nursing
The RIN is one of India’s leading nursing institutions. It was established in 2007 by
the Global Education and Charitable Trust (GECT), a non-profit organization that
aims to enhance the accessibility and affordability of quality international
education for young women and men in rural areas, and promote the nursing profession
internationally.
Media Contact:
Annie Mullins
Communications Officer
Communications & Marketing
604.323.5058
amullins@langara.bc.ca