2003 Postsecondary International Network Conference

Charleston, South Carolina

June 25-29, 2003

Asheville, North Carolina

June 29-July 2, 2003

Western Piedmont Community College is looking forward to hosting the 2003 PIN Conference.  All PIN delegates, partners, and interested parties should have received registration, hotel and travel arrangements via e-mail.  For your convenience, all registration forms and hotel and travel information have also been posted on the PIN website at www.pinnet.org.    Remember that the Registration and hotel reservation deadline is May 20, 2003.  Both conference hotels are poised and ready to assist you in making your hotel accommodations. After reviewing the information, should you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dereama Coffin by phone at 828-438-6014 or e-mail, dcoffin@wp.cc.nc.us.

As spring approaches, we hope you will not delay in making your hotel arrangements directly with the hotels at both locations.  In Charleston, SC, history is literally found around every corner and we are positive that you will enjoy your visit to this intriguing city.  The Renaissance Charleston Hotel is conveniently located in the historic district.  Charleston is one of the best walking cities in the U.S. and is the perfect location to escape the fast pace world and uplift your spirits.  You're sure to find Charleston to be a destination unlike any other.   The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, located in Asheville, NC is one of the South's oldest and most famous grand resorts, steeped in history.  The Grove Park has played host to such distinguished guests as Thomas Edison, F. Scott Fitzgerald, eight Presidents and many, many more!  Upon your arrival at each convention destination, you will be provided additional visitor's information and brochures.   

As noted in the information forwarded to you, we have made travel arrangements for a chartered motor coach to transport delegates and partners from one conference location to another for a nominal fee, freeing you from struggling with travel arrangements between destinations.   

In preparing the meeting agenda for both conference locations, Western Piedmont Community College has arranged for technical and community college President's from both Carolinas to share their educational program successes.  You will learn of their challenges and achievements in developing innovative and strategic educational programs, addressing both economic development issues, and forging partnerships that have become mutually beneficial to their institutions and enhanced the learning opportunities for their local communities.

Start making your plans now and pack your suitcases!  We hope you agree that the 2003 Post-Secondary International Network Conference will be a worthwhile opportunity devoted to developing educational relationships and effective interaction among post-secondary educators.              

PIN Annual Conference Calendar

2003 Annual Conference - June 25-July 1, 2003 - United States

Western Piedmont Community College, USA, will host the conference.  The first half of the conference will be held in Charleston, South Carolina, with the second half convening in Asheville, North Carolina.

2004 Annual - March 24 - 31, 2004 - Australia

Canberra Institute of Technology, Canberra, Australia will host the conference. The conference will be held in Canberra and Sydney.  The preliminary program includes:

Wednesday, March 24 - Afternoon registration in Canberra

Thursday, March 25 - Saturday, March 27 - PIN Conference in Canberra

Sunday, March 28 - Travel to Sydney

Monday, March 29 - Wednesday, March 31 - PIN Conference in Sydney

2005 Annual Conference - Canada

Durham College, Oshawa, Canada will host the conference.  Dates to be determined.

A Message from the PIN President

A Message from PIN President

By Peter Veenker

Greetings from Canberra, Australia’s National Capital

I was delighted to Chair the 2003 Executive Committee Meeting via a teleconference on 6 March 2003.  It was wonderful to hear your voices and facilitate a collegiate group with such energy.  The diverse teleconference arrangements of time zones, weather conditions and communicative accents highlighted the wonderful global nature of our network.

I look forward to seeing as many of my colleagues as possible at the 2003 Conference to be hosted by Western Piedmont Community College, USA (25 June – 2 July).  Richard Greene, Vice-President of Western Piedmont Community College, has extended a warm invitation to us all to participate in what promises to be an excellent opportunity to learn and share among our network.

The first of the Executive 2003 meetings reinforced our commitment to PIN goals to facilitate communications, provide network opportunities and work in partnerships among areas of administration, curriculum, instructional methods, faculty, staff and student services.

Barnet College has developed a proposal to implement a Program Matrix that will assist in the development of exchanges and joint projects within the PIN network.  The Canberra Institute of Technology, Barnet College, SAIT and Box Hill Institute will take the lead in developing and testing a model with existing institution Internet websites.  The tool will have search facilities that will enable efficient access to PIN course and curriculum details.  The Program Matrix tool will assist us to work toward enabling students to study abroad in different institutions on a full credit basis.  The findings of this pilot are to be reported at the Annual Conference in June 2003.

The continued involvement of retiring PIN presidents is an important issue and a mechanism has been established to encourage their ongoing involvement and attendance at the annual conference if they wish.  I encourage all honorary PIN members to attend the 2003 conference.

I wish Western Piedmont Community College all the best for the upcoming conference and I encourage you to join us in the USA.

Reflecting on our local situation, Australia’s vocational education and training system has been transformed in the past 10 years.  A national system of industry based standards and qualifications have been created.  There is mutual recognition of a diverse range of education and training providers across the various jurisdictions.  The Australian vocational education and training system generally has grown significantly in the number of students seeking our services.

However, these achievements must be balanced to some extent against perceptions of complexity and lack of national consistency.  These are issues which are being addressed and improvements are being made.  Generally our clients report that our vocational education and training system is working well and delivering outcomes.  I look forward to hearing more about developments in other countries.

Canberra Institute of Technology will host the 2004 Annual PIN Conference in Australia.  Set aside 24–31 March 2004 for an Aussie experience and to explore the magnificent Nation’s Capital and the beautiful city of Sydney.

Regards and best wishes

Dr Peter Veenker

Global Leadership Conference for Students

Global Leadership Program in Australia

December 2003-January 2004

Box Hill Institute of TAFE in Melbourne and Canberra Institute of TAFE are keen to offer an antipodean version of Colorado Mountain College’s Global Leadership Program (www.bhtafe.edu.au). Students from both institutions have participated in the CMC program and have benefited enormously from it. An action-packed, short term international program such as the Global Leadership Program gives young people an opportunity for an affordable intercultural experience.

We have developed plans to conduct a program with an Australian summer flavour. The program would run over approximately ten days and students who successfully complete the assessment tasks will be able to obtain academic credit at first year tertiary level in Australia and will be able to apply for credit transfer at their home institutions.

The Global Leadership Conference would be open to all tertiary students. It will benefit them through developing decision-making, problem-solving, interpersonal and group interaction skills and intercultural understanding. The learning context will combine leadership development with practical outdoor activities. The outdoor program will include surfing, ocean rafting, mountain biking and hiking. At the end of the program there will be an opportunity to see some of the sights of Victoria’s surf coast such as Bell’s Beach and the Twelve Apostles. Students may also stay in Melbourne long enough to catch one of our famous summer sporting events such as the Australian Open.

Our students benefited greatly from the CMC program and we believe that the Global Leadership Conference is worth continuing. Our recent email-out to PIN members was not encouraging. We need stronger indications of support from PIN members to go ahead. We anticipate that we will conduct the program between the 10 December 2003 and the 10 January 2004. The price will be set at a ceiling of $1500 USD (plus travel expenses). We will need a minimum of 20 paying participants to break even. So we are seeking further advice from PIN members. If you think that two or three of your students would attend this program please contact:

Anne Jones

General Manager, Teaching and Learning at Box Hill Institute of TAFE

a.jones@bhtafe.edu.au

Note:  The Global Leadership Conference for Students that was to be hosted by Colorado Mountain College, May 26- June 4, 2003 has been cancelled. After hosting three Global Leadership Conferences, Colorado Mountain College has decided to transfer the program to Box Hill College - Australia.

PIN Executive Committee

The current PIN Executive Committee membership includes:

Australia:                    John Maddock, Box Hill College

Peter Veenker, Canberra Institute of Technology (PIN President)

Canada:                      Donna Allen, Lethbridge College

Irene Lewis, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Gary Polonsky, Durham College

Netherlands:             Ricardo Winter, ROC van Amsterdam

New Zealand              John Scott, Christchurch Polytechnic

United Kingdom:             Marilyn Hawkins, Barnet College

United States:             LaVern Franzen, Central Community College

Richard Greene, Western Piedmont Community College

Mike Schafer, Mohawk Valley Community College (PIN President-elect)

The role of the Executive Committee is to:

1.         Plan and develop objectives and activities for the organization;

2.         Initiate policies and implement policies of the network;

3.         Make recommendations regarding annual membership fees;

4. Review, in context, the participation of PIN members and make decisions about continued memberships;

5. Determine the budget for administrative tasks of the organization;

6. Communicate the decisions taken at its meeting to the membership in semi-annual newsletters; and

7. Facilitate the securing of external resources for PIN projects and encourage members to do the same.

PIN Presidency

Peter Veenker, CEO of Canberra Institute of Technology, Canberra, Australia, was installed as PIN president for a two year term in June 2002.

Mike Schafer, President of Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, New York, USA is the President elect and becomes PIN President at the 2004 Annual PIN Conference.

PIN Member Highlights

Executive Committee Members Move On

PIN has lost three Executive Committee members due to retirements and career changes.  John Skitt retired in December as Principal of Barnet College in London.  John is a past PIN president and long time executive committee member.  John and wife Audrey spent three months traveling the world and are now back to their home in Cuffley, England.

Cynthia Heelan resigned as President of Colorado Mountain College in November and has moved to New York City.  Cynthia is a past PIN president and long time executive committee member.

Ingrid Belmer has resigned as Director at ROV van Amsterdam.  Ingrid was an executive member for one year.

New Members

PIN welcomes two new members from Canada - Sir Sanford Fleming College and Sheridan College.

Sheridan College

Sheridan College president, Rob Turner, has a background with PIN.  He was president at Olds College, which has been a PIN member for many years. 

Sheridan's vision is to be the best in Canada for the creative edge in our distinctive programs. We're known for academic excellence and applied research, taught by dedicated faculty to motivated students in an invigorating environment. With six academic schools focused on visualization design, digital technologies, e-commerce, advanced manufacturing, community services and corporate training, Sheridan expects to grow to 15,000 students over the coming three years. Indeed, Shift magazine's 2002 Guide to Digital Education heralded Sheridan as the “Best” and “Most Famousest We've Got”, among Canadian schools. In 2003, Sheridan will introduce its first applied degree, the Bachelor of Arts (Animation), which builds on its worldwide reputation in the field (graduate Jon Minnis won an Academy Award for Charade; Steve Williams was nominated for The Mask, as was James Straus for Dragonheart).

Sheridan's programs range from Music Theatre (graduate Tina Maddigan is on Broadway in Mamma Mia!), to Financial Planning to Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Education, Information Technologies Support Services, Electronics, Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineering.

In 2002, Daniel Crichton, professor and Glass Studio Head, won the Association of Canadian Community Colleges' National Teaching Excellence Award, and Student Governor Ben McEvoy won the Student Leadership Excellence Award.

Sheridan's 68 post-secondary and 29 post-diploma/degree programs lead to successful entry into the workforce. With a 90 per cent graduate employment rate, 92 per cent employer satisfaction rate and 32 programs with 100 per cent graduate employment, Sheridan offers a great education. Add the resources of a Career Centre devoted to helping students launch careers, two libraries, two residences, two student centres, athletic facilities and the Ontario champion and Canadian bronze-medal winning Bruins basketball team and Sheridan also offers a rich campus experience.

Sir Sandford Fleming College

The following is an introduction from Fleming President, Brian Desbiens

Sir Sandford Fleming College was named after a famous Canadian who dared to look beyond the obvious to find challenging solutions to the problems of his day.  His legacy is impressive: Sir Sandford Fleming was responsible for pioneering the concept of standard time, designing Canada's first postage stamp, and playing a critical role in the construction of the famous Canadian Pacific Railway - one of the greatest technical achievements of the 19th century.

But, proud as we are to be his namesake, Sir Sandford Fleming College doesn't merely look to the past. We have our sights set firmly on the future, to ensure that our graduates have the knowledge and skills they need to make their mark on the world as new career opportunities emerge. Our global outlook includes partnering with educational institutions in other countries to enable our students to take part in international exchange programs. Technology brings the world to our doorsteps. We invite you to take steps to learn more about SSFC: come to visit -- come to learn.

A 'quality, caring and future oriented institution' epitomizes the environment you will find at Fleming. This college is committed to providing you with programs of study that will equip you with the skills, knowledge and work ethic to be successful in the future. Sir Sandford Fleming College is known as a world-class learning organization. A college education provides the opportunity to focus your learning in a specialized area; it can be a key component in your preparation for a rewarding career. It is also the time for meeting new people. This college attracts students from across Ontario and far beyond, from every age group. Getting involved in the college community will enable you to build friendships that will continue through the rest of your life.

We are constantly reviewing our programs and procedures to ensure you are getting the most relevant information on the latest equipment. Our new Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) take advantage of the speed, flexibility and breadth of knowledge that can be tapped into using technology. Courses via the internet, video conferencing, computerized tutorials are only the beginning of what the new centres offer. At our Peterborough location (Sutherland Campus) a fully-equipped Learning Commons boasts 230 internet-linked Pentium computers - along with many other computer labs across the college. 

Study Shows Alberta’s Colleges and Technical Institutes a Great Investment

Submitted by Donna Allen, President

Lethbridge College

Sixteen of Alberta’s colleges and technical institutes contracted with CCBenefits to conduct a study to determine the economic and social benefits generated the institutions.  The economic model, which has been subjected to peer review and has been used by over 200 community colleges in the United States and Canada, examines the following economic and social impacts:

1. Contributions to local and provincial economy.

2. Increased earnings of graduates.

3. Social benefits, improved health, reduced crime, lower social assistance and unemployment costs.

4. Return on investment to Alberta taxpayers and graduates.

The key findings of the study included:

• College and institute operations and the increased productivity of graduates add $2.1 billion to the province’s economy.

• Students earn, on average, an additional $1904 per year for each year they attend Alberta’s colleges or institutes.

• Graduates save the province $57 million per year in social expenditures – $40 million in lower health costs, $16 million in lower unemployment and social assistance costs, and nearly $1 million in lower crime costs.

• The rate of return on investment for taxpayers is 16%.  The rate of return on investment for students is 14%.

The study reports aggregate results for the socioeconomic impact of the colleges and institutes on the entire province; in addition, each participating institution received results of their impact on the regional economy.

The results have received considerable local and provincial attention.  Politicians, government officials and business leaders have found the results impressive.

2003-2004 Faculty/Staff Exchange-Visit Program

Applications are currently being taken for the 2003-2004 Faculty/Staff Exchange Visit Program.  The exchange and visit program is designed to facilitate faculty exchanges and visits among PIN member colleges.  The exchanges and visits are designed to enhance the professional development of faculty and to further international understanding of two-year colleges.  The colleges are expected to support and facilitate the exchange/visit process.  The college and the faculty members develop the exchange or visit to meet their institutional and individual objectives.

PIN will award two $500 (US) stipends to facilitate faculty exchanges and visits to each country for the academic year.  It is expected that the college will match the dollar amount of the stipend.  The match will be cash or an in-kind contribution.

Process

1.      The Faculty Exchange and Visit Program Application Form should be used.

2.      The program criteria must be addressed in the application.

3.      The narrative should be no longer than 1000 words.

4.      The college president/principal and the faculty member must sign the application form.

5.      If there is a need for assistance in identifying a host college, PIN will assist in identifying appropriate host colleges.

6.      Faculty Exchange and Visit Program Application are submitted to Executive Director, Bill Warner.

7.      The Executive Committee reviews all applications at the annual meeting.

8.      The Executive Committee will identify the award recipients.

9.      The PIN Executive Director will notify the successful and unsuccessful applicants.

10.  The $500 (US) stipend check will be sent to the college president, who will make the award to the faculty/staff member.

Forward your Faculty/Staff Exchange and Visit applications to Bill Warner, Executive Director.

Attracting New Members

PIN currently has members in Australia, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.  If you are aware of colleges that are interested in becoming a PIN member contact Bill Warner, Executive Director, who will provide the institution with PIN information.

Membership is available in two tiers: full members and provisional members.  All members should be technical/community or further education institutions, publicly or privately funded.

1.       FULL MEMBERSHIP

 The minimum criteria for full members are as follows:

a.  The institution should provide evidence that the President (or equivalent) is committed to the "Understanding" as described under "Purpose" of PIN.

b.  The institution should be committed to incorporating an international dimension into existing/future college programs and services.

c.  The institution should pay dues annually at the full rate as set by the PIN Executive Board.

Full and provisional members are sponsored by a current member and approved by a two-thirds vote of the PIN Executive Board.

Continued membership is dependent on meeting the minimum criteria for each tier and satisfying membership responsibilities as determined by the PIN Executive Board.

The membership of PIN is limited to 90 institutions.

2.   PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP

The minimum criteria for provisional membership are as follows:

a.  The president/principal of the institution wishes to explore or expand its commitment to international education as described under "Purpose" of PIN.

b.  The institution pays half of the annual dues as set by the PIN Executive Board.

For more information about this Newsletter or PIN contact:

Dr. Bill Warner

Executive Director - PIN

1087 Churchill Place

Shoreview, MN 55126

USA

Phone: 651-483-0299 Fax: 651-483-5821

E-mail: warne017@umn.edu

Note:  The Spring 2003 PIN Membership Directory will be available in May 2003

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