Vanier College is thrilled to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Business Administration International Exchange program. This milestone marks 20 years of partnerships between the Vanier Business Administration Program and several higher education institutions in France and Belgium.
As International Business Exchange Coordinator George Dracopoulos explains, "Every year, the program provides on average over 50 Vanier and IUT students with life-changing opportunities. Vanier's Business Administration program is directly responsible for more than 1,000 exchanges with Montbeliard, Belfort, Vannes, Cergy Pontoise, Senart-Fontainbleau, Rambouilet, Velizy, Evry, Troyes, Reims, Nice, and the Haute Ecole de La Province de Liege."
Once it was well established, the International Exchange program expanded and, ten years ago, began offering exchange opportunities to Multimedia Integration students, and, more recently, to Architectural Technology students as well.
A celebration dinner on December 4th, brough together Faculty Dean Alena Perout, as well as Business Administration faculty, staff and students. Among those present were 50 French and Belgian students who attended Vanier during the Fall semester, and several Vanier students who will head to French companies and organizations this coming Spring, to conduct 6-week internships. Laughter filled the room as students who will soon head back to Europe celebrated and commented on their experiences at Vanier while sharing advice and insights with the Vanier group flying to Europe in the spring.
Marking the moment, partners from several institutions sent messages of praise and congratulations. "This year, at the IUT de Troyes we are proud to celebrate 20 years of partnership with Vanier College. Our collaboration has provided students with invaluable international experiences whether through semester study programs in Canada or spring internships at our institution. We look forward to continuing this enriching exchange and further strengthening the bond between our institutions in the years to come!" said Amanda Didier, Cheffe du département Techniques de Commercialisation, Chargée de mission pour les Relations Internationales de l'IUT de Troyes.
"Vanier College and the IUT of Nord Franche-Comté shared a vision: fostering meaningful intercultural exchanges. Twenty years ago, Sylvie Courroy, David Markezic, and George Dracopoulos turned this vision into a reality by joining forces to create opportunities for their students to gain international experience. Through their collaboration, over 100 students from the IUT Nord Franche-Comté have studied at Vanier College for a semester, while many Vanier students have enriched their skills through internships in Belfort, France. This partnership has left a lasting impact, broadening horizons, expanding networks, and opening doors to a world of new possibilities," stated Monique Mougin, Département GACO - Gestion Administrative et Commerciale des Organisations IUT Nord Franche-Comté.
In recognition of his years of dedication, International Business Exchange Coordinator George Dracopoulos received a Certificate of Appreciation from FABSS Dean Alena Perout.
"Congratulations, George, on achieving this significant milestone, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to the success of Vanier's international program!" declared Marc-André René, Business Administration Department Coordinator.
