Crossing an international border by road is always an adventure. For people living in Windsor, Canada’s 4th most multicultural city, this border crossing opportunity is at their doorstep. With Detroit, Michigan in the U.S. a hop, skip, and a jump away, visitors can enjoy a two-nation experience with a short drive across the Detroit River.
It is one of the many reasons international students prefer Windsor as their higher education destination. Another strong reason is the availability of quality programs offered by globally renowned institutes like St. Clair College.
“International students prefer Windsor and St. Clair College because they have access to familiar cultural and religious communities to ease the burden of transition to a new country,” says John Fairley, Vice President Communications and Community Relations, St. Clair College. “Windsor is at the most southern part of Canada geographically, so the comfortable climate and less strenuous winters make for a more pleasant living environment.”
The unique location of St. Clair College on the USA/Canada border provides students from India access to two major North American economic powers and the environment to train students in international trade and commerce, preparing them to excel in a global marketplace. There are currently around 4,600 students from India studying at St. Clair College.
St. Clair College provides students with access to state-of-the-art facilities that house some of the world’s most sophisticated technology and partners students with industry workers to provide an inclusive approach to learning.
An Institute of Global Standard
Unlike most of the colleges in India, institutes in Canada are steeped in history. St. Clair College is no different. It grew out of a technical institution known as the Western Ontario Institute of Technology (WOIT), founded in 1958. In June 1965, the Minister of Education, the Honorable William G. Davis, introduced a bill that was passed consenting to the formation of 19 Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology. St. Clair was one of them. Officially founded in July 1966, St. Clair’s amalgamation with WOIT took place in September 1967.
Today, St. Clair College has several articulations and pathway agreements with post-secondary institutions in Ontario, Canada, and Internationally. Through these agreements, graduates may receive transfer credits for courses, a whole semester, or a full year (or more) toward a university degree.
“By offering more degree programs, extending its scope of transfer agreements with universities and colleges, and establishing entrepreneurship, research, and innovation partnerships, the College has broadened the ability of its students to acquire knowledge and leading-edge skills,” Fairley said. “We are committed to providing students with a myriad of opportunities to compete in the global marketplace.”
St. Clair College strives for excellence in program delivery, and its commitment to excellence in teaching and learning promotes the development of its faculty and, in turn, student success. “Based on our mission and vision, a primary focus for all college activities is providing an accessible, dynamic and supportive learning environment,” Fairley said.
The Centre of Academic Excellence is a resource centre for faculty. It strives to make all the teaching and learning resources, workshops, and materials available and accessible for all faculty.
Through collaboration with the local private sector, St. Clair College is training students to meet the employment demands of the regional and national economy in Canada and North America. For instance, the Data Analytics for Business program at St. Clair College is a post-graduate program aimed at taking an IT background and expanding the student’s business acumen to market themselves in a data-driven global economy. AI and machine learning are also touched on in this program, making it vital for any graduate who wants to differentiate themselves.
Finding the best employment opportunities for its students is one of the many goals set by the College. The Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre, located at the Main Campus, is the gateway to entrepreneurship and professional development at St. Clair College. It is a hub that connects students, alumni, faculty, and the community. “Whether you work for yourself, or someone else, if you have a business idea or solution, this is the place to start,” Fairley said.
A Home Away From Home
St. Clair College awards over $3 million a year to students excelling in their studies. Some of these scholarships tie into the students’ work or volunteer hours in the community. This allows international students to take an active role in their new homes. The College has also made services available to help domestic and international students during their stay at the campus. For instance, the Student Representative Council (SRC) is an incorporated, government-like body, which provides a variety of services to students – and represents them and their interests in dealings with other agencies, both inside and outside the College. The SRC oversees most of the food services on campus, providing numerous part-time jobs for students, and manages the college’s Student Centres and several other facilities. The SRC also stages entertainment and awareness events on an almost weekly basis.
Thames Students Incorporated (TSI) is Chatham’s student government that acts as an alliance between students and college staff. TSI handles all formal and informal complaints and concerns submitted by students. TSI consists of a board of directors elected from the student body and appointed by the President of TSI.
The Saints Student Athletic Association (SSAA) encourages St. Clair’s students to make constructive use of leisure time to acquire new physical skills and enhance fitness. The SSAA intramurals programs stimulate social interaction with other students, facilitating the development of proper attitudes and sportsmanship.
Surviving the Pandemic
In preparation for the upcoming start of the Fall 2021 semester, St. Clair College has continued to work diligently with the Ontario Ministry and our local health authorities to provide students with a safe campus environment. In doing so, St. Clair College will be mandating vaccinations or regular testing for all staff and students.
“We recognize the importance of immunization to reduce the risk of serious infection and transmission of infection to employees, students, volunteers, contractors, and members of the public who physically wish to access College facilities, resources, and campuses,” states Fairley.
All staff and students will be required to attest during entry screening that they have either been vaccinated or have completed a rapid test with a negative test result when coming on-site to work. “St. Clair College employees or students who are unvaccinated or choose not to declare their vaccination status will be provided (free of charge) rapid testing kits that must be self-administered at home. These individuals will be required to complete a negative test every 72 hours and attest to this result through the Student Information System (SIS),” adds Fairley.
Gaining popularity on the global stage every passing year, St. Clair College reached record international enrollment and introduced popular and in-demand programming during the pandemic. St. Clair College plans to continue this growth and establish itself as a leader in international education and global training.
For More Info: https://www.stclaircollege.ca/