UCCB Partners with German University, Engineering Company
PREMIER'S OFFICE--UCCB Partners with German University, Engineering Company
The University College of Cape Breton (UCCB) signed a partnership agreement today with Fachhochschule Lausitz/University of Applied Sciences, and Laubusch-based engineering company, Lausitzer Umwelt GmbH, in Berlin, Germany.
"This is an exciting opportunity for UCCB. Nova Scotians have always known that it is an exceptional university and now people from Germany will see what we have to offer," said Premier John Hamm, who is visiting Germany as part of the Team Canada trade mission to Europe. "International partnerships like this one will provide opportunities for local industry and students that may not have otherwise been available."
The partnerships will build on the similarities Lausitz has with Cape Breton. Both areas, which are former mining regions, will use the collaboration as an opportunity to explore North American and European markets.
The agreement will specifically focus on theoretical applied solutions and commercial possibilities in some of the following areas: -- remediation system know-how, project management and co- ordination at sites to be specified; -- remediation technologies and techniques for specific projects, for example, the remediation of the tar ponds, mine drainage and coal-refuse piles; and -- renaturalization of landscapes, real estate development and marketing.
"This strong collaboration between University College of Cape Breton and our two German partners emphasizes the environmental experience, training and similarities between Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Lausitz, Germany," said Jacquelyn Scott, president and vice-chancellor, UCCB. "At UCCB, we pride ourselves on identifying needs and responding with timely, relevant programs and services. We look forward to the opportunities this partnership will bring forward."
Fachhochschule Lausitz/University of Applied Sciences offers a variety of study courses in scientific engineering, business and social management, and arts and humanities. Lausitzer Umwelt GmbH is an engineering company that employs experts in brown-coal mining. They perform comprehensive environmental assessments of industrial-contaminated sites, including evaluation of the contamination of soil, water and air.
Premier Hamm said this partnership should lead to more opportunities for Nova Scotia universities throughout Europe.
Last week during the Team Canada mission to Moscow, Mount Saint Vincent University signed a co-operative agreement with the European School's Centre for International Education. The deal will provide the university with an on-site agent to recruit new students from Russia.
The Nova Scotia government supports the province's universities in a number of ways. The Department of Economic Development provides financial assistance to encourage universities to pursue international marketing initiatives through trade missions such as Team Canada. In the past two years, the Department of Education has also increased funding to $201 million -- the highest level of financial support in more than five years.