For immediate release: September 18, 2012
Contacts:   Morna Foy, 608-266-2449, morna.foy@wtcsystem.edu
                Kyle Schwarm, 608-266-0050, kyle.schwarm@wtcsystem.edu

Wisconsin technical college students can study in Ireland

Agreement expands global education opportunities

         MADISON – An agreement recently signed by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and the Institutes of Technology Ireland (IOTI) paves the way for technical college students to begin studying in Ireland in 2014.

         "The agreement offers tremendous mobility and flexibility to our students," says Dr. Geoff Bradshaw, director of international education for Madison Area Technical College. "Wisconsin and Ireland share major employment sectors such as information technology, software development, hospitality and tourism. There are opportunities in Ireland for American undergraduate students to gain technical exposure and internships in business that will increase the economic capacity of the workforce in both places," said Bradshaw, who headed the delegation representing WTCS.

         The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covers:

• Student exchange programs including credit course enrollment and internship placement;
• Customized short-term student tours;
• Professional development of faculty and administrative staff including exchanges;
• Inter-system transfer of student credit and mobility;
• Distance education, virtual exchanges, and joint online projects;
• Collaboration and innovation in the development of joint projects, grant proposals, or other mutually beneficial initiatives.

         Gerry Murray, chief executive of IOTI, and Dan Clancy, president of the WTCS, signed the MOU. Murray noted that the agreement is a "system-to-system" arrangement, not one between individual institutions. "It is an exciting opportunity for students from Wisconsin to substantially broaden their education experience by coming to Ireland, and for our students to go in the opposite direction."

         "Wisconsin businesses are becoming more and more global and students are finding benefits to international education when they enter the workforce," said Clancy. "Employers like Mercury Marine, Johnson Controls, the Oshkosh Corporation, Caterpillar Global Mining and others have operations in many countries and serve customers around the world. Technical colleges also provide global business training for current employees of these companies."

         Wisconsin’s technical colleges provide foreign language programs, study abroad opportunities, seminars and business training, exchanges, and international internships.

         About the System:
         The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) offers more than 300 programs awarding two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas. In addition, the System is the major provider of customized training and technical assistance to Wisconsin’s business and industry community. More than 370,000 individuals access the technical colleges for education and training each year.