Overview
Profiles
Current International Projects
International Development Opportunities
Past International Projects
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OverviewProfilesCurrent International ProjectsInternational Development OpportunitiesPast International Projects |
Projects in South AfricaInternational Co-ops Conduct Applied Research | IN-REACH International Co-op Students Conduct Applied Research to Reduce Poverty
Niagara College’s longstanding relationship with Walter Sisulu University (WSU) through the IN-REACH project provided the backdrop for two international applied research co-op placements.
To build on this initial co-op experience, Natalee Tokar (Research Project Manager, Niagara Research and Dawit Eshetu (Coordinator, International Business and Global Development) also travelled to WSU to discuss the future of student and staff exchanges as well as opportunities for collaborative projects and research. They began by asking the question “How can both WSU and NC make sure that our collaboration further internationalizes our institutions and creates projects that can be integrated into academic curriculum”? The resulting conversations identified a need in both the Eastern Cape and the Region of Niagara to develop integrated, sustainable initiatives that will assist targeted rural communities in both South and Canada in:
Opportunities exist for students from both NC and WSU to assist local businesses with business plan development, marketing and promotional plan development, international market research, and human resources training manuals and strategies. By conducting applied research assignments with businesses and organizations, students will have the ability to enhance their skills and knowledge through practical based learning while addressing the greater issues of poverty alleviation through job creation and economic growth and development. Interested in an international applied research co-op? Contact us as projects@niagaracollege.ca. IN-REACH - Supporting Economic Growth Through Community Development The IN-REACH project maximizes benefits to isolated communities by building capacity in community development workers to design and deliver projects and training programs in the communities themselves. “IN” denotes the idea of community development workers living and working IN their communities to support economic and social change while “REACH” stands for “Rural Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Hub”.
Niagara College has been working with Walter Sisulu University (WSU), its Centre for Rural Development (CRD) and Niagara Research, a centre at Niagara College, to provide community solutions through applied research and knowledge transfer. The IN-REACH project aims to:
Once trained, community development workers will be able to use the CRD as a resource to support community and micro-business development within their communities. Mentoring by WSU and Niagara College faculty provide multi-level support to accomplish this goal.
Niagara College projects actively support gender equality and women's rights. One of the key partners of the IN-REACH project is the Women's Development Foundation (WDF). Click here for a brief report of their CEO's (Ms. Nonhlanhla Jordan) recent trip to Canada. For more information, please contact projects@niagaracollege.ca. Pre-health Students Conduct Applied Research in South Africa In May 2009 Niagara College teacher Lora Miani traveled with 7 pre-health students to East London, South Africa to investigate the living conditions and socioeconomic status of HIV positive individuals. The participated in applied research through data collection and the development of an 11 page questionnaire that will help determine the housing needs of HIV affect people. Working with students from Walter Sisulu University (WSU), the NC students reviewed each qiestion of the survey to ensure its clarity and validity. Students shared stories from their interview experiences as they related to the content of the questionnaire. Many students were vital in analyzing and critiquing this questionnaire and offered solutions to improve the integrity of the questions. Supporting Gender EqualityNiagara College projects actively support gender equality and women's rights. The International Education and Development Department (IEDD) takes a progressive approach to mainstreaming gender in development projects in an effort to:
The IEDD implements this strategy through capacity building at the institutional level to ensure that through project activities, women have increased participation in decision-making, increased knowledge of their rights, and increased access to benefits and resources provided by the project. One of the key partners of the South Africa IN-REACH project is the Women's Development Foundation (WDF). As part of an In Canada Training trip in May 2009, their CEO Ms. Nonhlahla Jordan visited the Times Change Women's Employment Service organization in Toronto. Click here for a brief report of Ms. Jordan's visit to Times Change. For more information, please contact projects@niagaracollege.ca. |
Samantha Hunter and Kelano Forbes—two Bachelor of Applied Business: International Commerce and Global Development (ICOM-GD) students—put their applied research skills to the test from May to August of 2009. The student Research Assistants (Ras), were paired with a number of cooperatives in East London, King Williamstown, Mthatha and Mhlontlo, South Africa. Tasked with developing workshops to assist the cooperatives with business development, the RAs also completed a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and a business plan template for each cooperative. Upon their return, the students will partner with NC web design students to develop promotional material for each cooperative.
