College students in Georgia and Brazil will soon be able to take advantage of additional reciprocal educational and training opportunities, thanks to an agreement between the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and São Paulo’s technical education system, Centro Paula Souza (CPS). A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in Brazil by TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin and CPS Director Laura Laganá during an economic development mission led by Gov.
Nathan Deal.
“International companies in Georgia look to our technical colleges every day to provide the skilled workforce they need to stay competitive,” said Commissioner Corbin. “This agreement with São Paulo’s technical system is not only key to expanding TCSG’s global outreach, it is an outstanding educational opportunity for students in both Georgia and Brazil. It encourages joint educational and economic development activities, exchange of staff and students and the exchange of visiting scholars to conduct research and professional development.”
“TCSG and CPS Colleges of Technology, through this partnership, have a myriad of opportunities for mutual cooperation on the field of professional higher education, which will effectively contribute to the development of both states,” said CPS Director LauraLaganá.
The MOU provides a formal pathway for TCSG and CPS students to engage in internships, language training, short-term cultural exchange trips for staff members and students, joint student projects and traditional semester exchanges. In addition, the agreement facilitates increased cooperation between the educational agencies and local and regional chambers of commerce, municipal and provincial or state governmental agencies, hospitals, local and regional businesses, and manufacturing and industrial enterprises.
These cross-border educational opportunities will benefit students and faculty and provide world-class workforce training and management development for industries and other organizations, both in Georgia and in São Paulo. The MOU will be administered in Georgia by TCSG’s International Center for Technical Education, which collaborates with countries and colleges to develop and improve their technical workforce through higher education partnerships and the sharing of people, programs and best practices. The office works closely with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the University System of Georgia, and TCSG’s own Quick Start customized workforce training program.
Georgia has had representation in Brazil for more than two decades. More than 12,000 Georgians are employed by 40 Brazilian-owned businesses. Gov. Deal is leading a delegation of state and local business leaders on an economic development mission in Brazil to establish new business relationships, strengthen existing ties and promote Georgia as an excellent tourism destination and quality source for products and services. The Georgia delegation represents some of Georgia’s greatest economic development assets in business, education, tourism, trade and workforce.
Another international education initiative is taking place between GNTC, Savannah Technical College, and TCSG partner school; Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) in Ireland. The three colleges are joining forces to offer Georgia culinary arts students a unique opportunity to participate in a culinary arts summer school next year.
Ireland has emerged as a premier European culinary center and is home to an ever increasing "specialty food" sector. WIT is the leading provider of culinary education in Ireland. Highly experienced faculty and professionals from across the food industry will direct practical and theoretical sessions and lead field trips to sites of culinary, cultural, and social significance.
“Growing up in my hometown, there was a travel agency with a large marquee that stated ‘See the world before you Leave it,’” said Chef Greg Paulson, director of the Culinary Arts program at GNTC. “That was a very impressionable declaration for me and I have genuinely always guided my career path based on that statement.”
“Because of that, I implore all of my students to travel and discover the vast culinary experiences, both regional and international,” he continued.