Strategic Alliance with Dwight International School is Timely for RRU
Victoria - Royal Roads University and Dwight International School have joined forces to create an innovative transfer agreement for students enrolled in tourism and hospitality programs in China. The agreement allows for eligible international students to complete their degree at the Victoria campus of Royal Roads University.
A memorandum of understanding - signed yesterday by Allan Cahoon, president of Royal Roads University and Jerry Salvador, head of Dwight International School - lays the groundwork for this academic cooperation.
"We are delighted to be part of a strategic alliance with Royal Roads University and look forward to the diverse and many opportunities this presents now and for the future," said Salvador.
In addition to providing the first two years of tourism and hospitality education, Dwight International School will deliver English as a Second Language (ESL) programming; provide cultural support; and coordinate a homestay program.
"Entering into this collaboration with such a high quality partner right in our own backyard is exciting and timely," said Pedro Márquez, dean of the Faculty of Management at Royal Roads University. "Now that Canada has been granted Approved Destination Status by the Government of China, it is more critical than ever that both countries learn to serve an emerging and dynamic tourism market."
Proposed areas of collaboration between the two institutions include the creation of opportunities for Dwight International School students from China and other countries to complete their tourism degree at Royal Roads University through an efficiently designed transfer program; the establishment of networks in the tourism and hospitality industry to facilitate the creation of internships for students; and cooperative and joint marketing efforts.
"The MOU we signed yesterday represents the early stage of what I know will be a productive and long term relationship with many benefits for Royal Roads University and for Dwight International School," said Susan Xu, one of the school's co- founders.
Dwight International School is a coeducational and non-denominational day and boarding private international university preparatory school located on the shores of Shawnigan Lake near Victoria, B.C. An affiliate of Dwight School New York, it is an independent boarding school in Western Canada offering an International Baccalaureate curriculum. Dwight International has affiliated schools in London, New York, California, China and Peru.
Royal Roads University was established by the Province of British Columbia in 1995 specifically to deliver quality applied and professional programs to advance professionals in the workplace. The university blends online and on-campus learning with current, real-world relevance for graduate and undergraduate degrees, certificates, diplomas, executive and custom education.
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For media queries, contact:
Royal Roads University: Communications Officer, Phil Saunders
phil.saunders@royalroads.ca 250-391-2526, cel 250-812-5065 or,
Royal Roads University: Community Relations Director, Stephanie Slater
stephanie.slater@royalroads.ca 250-391-2712, cel 250-361-5020
Dwight International School: Head of School and Co-Founder, Jerry Salvador
250-929-0506
