Fanshawe Aims to Become More International

LONDON — In an effort to increase the number of international students, Fanshawe College, London recently signed an agreement with a technical college in Korea, that will also serve to bring new skills to London and potentially increase the city’s skilled labour pool. Bruce Wilson, Coordinator of International Partnerships at Fanshawe College says the alliance with Ajou Motor College can only strengthen Fanshawe programs, as it allows for expansion of their international student population. “On a global scale, one of our mandates is to bring international students here to Fanshawe to help internationalize the college.” The partnership was formed as a result of meetings through the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), who on a visit to Ajou, saw the need to increase training at the college, as well as the level of proficiency, specifically in the mould industry. Ajou is a leading Korean educational college, specializing in technical training for the automotive sector, particularly in tool and die, as well as mould making. “In the automotive industry, there are a lot of moulds required to build cars,” says Wilson. “Accordingly there is a need for a lot of tool and die makers.” Through the LEDC, it was determined that at Ajou, some of the precision required needed to be at a higher level, and Ajou wanted some of their students to come to Fanshawe. Currently there are four students from Ajou participating in the program, working on improving their English skills through ESL programs. As the students’ level of English increases, it will be determined what courses they have already taken that can be applied as credits towards the post secondary programs, and they will proceed into either the Mechanical Technician Program or the Motive Power Program. “It is a good fit for everyone,” says Wilson. “We have students coming here, we have our faculty going there, and there is some intent to share faculty in the future.” Wilson says the partnership will also strengthen Fanshawe programs. “By sharing their curriculum and vice versa, we’ve already seen some things they do better than us,” he says. “It’s still a very new process, but we know that there could be some changes within our programs.” Wilson also notes the benefits to the city of having more international students at the school. “We’re contributing economically to London by having these students here, as well as socially and culturally.” The students are encouraged to get involved with various agencies like the Food Bank, where they can get exposed to the culture, and to be active in various community events. Most recently, the college was able to provide translators to the participants at the International Disabled Games, held in London last summer. “We provided translators for these games, as there were people here from 25 different countries.” He adds that there are also possible future economic advantages for the city. “We have a skill shortage, and having these students here might help to alleviate that shortage, at least in the short term,” he says. “And these students might decide they want to stay.” TBE Reprinted with permission and acknowledgment to The Business Executive, February 2006.