Fez - On 27-28 November, the British Council Morocco organized its annual global seminar "Bringing the Learning Home."
The event, which took place in Casablanca, saw the participation of employers, policy makers and stakeholders from different international institutions, representing a multitude of fields, including education, ICT, banking, tourism …etc.
The seminar was a golden opportunity for the participants to nurture the concept of partnership, seek new opportunities for development in the skills sector, learn and share knowledge and best practices, and search for new connections to establish long term partnerships. in addition, delegates, through various workshops and discussion sessions, explored the importance of skills for employability and how to create the right foundations for a far-reaching impact on society.
"Creating an impact lies at the heart of what the British Council does," said Melinda from the british Council. This is why the seminar focused on presenting real stories of achievements, the impact of journeys taken by leaders who work together effectively to champion change. A change that transcends boundaries and cultures.
One of the most complicated challenges that is currently facing the world is how to sustain economic growth to absorb the job market demand and put an end to youth unemployment. To this end, policy makers, educators and stakeholders need to develop new ways and methods to change curricula, train human resources and prepare students with the skills needed to land jobs.
The Seminar also tried to bridge the gap between high education institutions and vocational institution with the aim to create hybrid educational systems and curricula that listens to employers' voices, collaborate with other stakeholders to shift their focus to vocational training and education based on soft skills. This can produce more employable students. In this respect, Mr. John Mountford, international director at Association of Colleges said: "A lot of skills providers are preparing people for jobs that don't exist. We need to be training people in relevant transferable skills that they will carry throughout their lives."
Mr. Najib Hamouti, project Manager Education and Society at École supérieure des industries du textile et de l'habillement, and one of the Moroccan delegates participating in the seminar shared his story with MWN.
He expalins the secrets behind his successful partnership and sustainable engagement with Aliya Sorgen, international Partnerships and Projects Leader at Doncaster College, leading their partnership to be nominated for Best New Partnership of the Year Award 2013.
"One of the strengths of this partnership is that there was a high level of awareness from ESITH side and from Doncaster College side. This enabled us to initiate our partnership on strong footings for long term impact," he said.
"It is a privilege for Moroccan institutions to share knowledge and best practices with UK institutions and implement modules of education as they are taught in British colleges. There is a positive impact at the level of management within ESITH through institutionalizing communication with students."
The UK Deputy Ambassador to Morocco, Mr. Alan Gogbashian, closed the seminar with the highlight of the two-day event, announcing the Best New Partnership of the Year Award 2013. This year's prize goes to Sedibeng College in South Africa and Harrow College UK.
On this occasion Mr. Alan Gogbashian told MWN that "This is an excellent example of the British council's involvement, working both with local education providers on the MENA region, but fundamentally linking them with industry with companies and providing the bridge between the two. Taking education, matching it with employers needs and facilitating that."
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