As Diwali celebrations kick off around the Greater Toronto Area and around the world, we’re highlighting George Brown College’s strong connections to India.
Our partnerships in the country provide rich learning opportunities for GBC students here at home and abroad and international students from India contribute to our dynamic campus communities. Members of the college community are gathering for a Diwali celebration hosted by the Student Association on October 21 at Casa Loma Campus.
“George Brown College gains so much from our connections in India, whether it’s students who help to energize our campuses or through mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations and other post-secondary institutions,” said David Begg, George Brown College’s Associate Vice-President of Global Partnerships and Education.
Longstanding partnership with Chitkara University
In 2019, we strengthened our longstanding partnership with Chitkara University in northern India with an agreement to establish new opportunities for teaching and learning mentorship, curriculum development, applied research, and faculty and student exchanges. The agreement also provides eligible Chitkara students advanced standing in the Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Culinary Management) program.
“We look forward to exploring new and innovative ways to push our relationship with Chitkara University forward,” said Rudi Fischbacher, Dean, Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (CHCA). “This partnership provides opportunities for students and faculty to gain global experience and develop intercultural competencies – a priority for the centre as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Chef Trevor Ritchie, a CHCA instructor, is currently in India teaching Pastry Production Management and Food for Special Events at Chitkara University. Students in India complete the first two years of the program at Chitkara U and then come to Toronto for the final two years.
“The team here is wonderful and very hospitable,” Ritchie said, “and the students are engaged and dedicated.”
Community and Social Services and ECE student experiences in India
Our partnerships with organizations in and around New Delhi have provided international field placement opportunities for students at the Centre for Community Services and Early Childhood.
Students from the Schools of Early Childhood Education and Social and Community Services have travelled to New Delhi to work with the non-governmental organization Ritinjali, which aims to provide education to marginalized children. The group also works to provide residential programming for young adults.
ECE students have completed placements at outdoor play organizations, local childcare centres, programs for special needs children, and an orphanage.
“The principle is providing students with a rich experience that also benefits the communities we’re working with,” said Patricia Chorney Rubin, Director of GBC’s School of Early Childhood.
“We have been privileged to be engaged in meaningful and transformational experiences for students.”
And students from the Child and Youth Care, Social Service Worker and Community Worker programs have worked with youth and young adults in marginalized communities, promoting the development of skills needed to gain employment.
GBC students last visited India in the winter of 2020.
