Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides and Hesse’s Minister of Education, Culture and Opportunity, Armin Schwarz, sign an MOU to expand the relationship between Hesse and Alberta. (Government of Alberta)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Five-Year MOU

Alberta expands education relationship with Hesse, Germany

Jun 10, 2024 | 12:16 PM

The Alberta government has entered an agreement with the state of Hesse, Germany, to explore new opportunities for collaboration and partnership within the two education systems.

Government officials say Alberta is continuing to build upon the province’s education system by setting students up for success in the classroom and life after school. In Alberta, officials note that career education programming in enhanced dual credit, career and technology studies and collegiate school programming are available to students to help them develop practical skills and position them for success.

By collaborating with international jurisdictions to exchange knowledge about educational programming, Alberta’s government says it is better positioning students to achieve academic success while increasing their competitiveness to pursue post-secondary studies and high-demand careers in Alberta’s job market.

On June 10, government officials say Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides and Hesse’s Minister of Education, Culture and Opportunity, Armin Schwarz, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to reaffirm a long-standing education exchange program for students, teachers and school administrators and promote partnerships between schools in both jurisdictions based on mutual interests and goals in language learning, career and technology studies and other areas of common interest.

“Alberta’s new MOU with our long-standing education partners in Hesse formalizes a desire to share knowledge and best practices,” explains Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education. “We will continue our existing cultural and linguistic exchanges, while exploring opportunities to add technical and vocational exchanges as well. I’m confident that by working together and exploring mutually beneficial opportunities, we can help our students reach their full potential.”

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“We are pleased to continue our exchange programmes for students and teachers with our partner province of Alberta,” adds Armin Schwarz, Minister of Education, Culture and Opportunity, Hesse, Germany. “The partnership is very important to us. It’s about getting even closer on both sides, learning from each other, gaining further understanding and also regularly exchanging information about our education systems. This is a great opportunity for our young people in particular.”

According to the government, Alberta and Hesse officials will use this agreement to formalize regular connections, strengthen existing partnerships and promote collaboration that aims to strengthen the education systems of the two jurisdictions. The MOU is also expected to support students and educational partners and staff who participate in bilingual and multicultural education programs.

The MOU will be in effect for five years and with an opportunity to renew.

Alberta government quick facts

• Alberta hosted an education delegation from Hesse that included the Hesse Minister of Education and a group of parliamentarians in 2022.
• The Hesse delegation signalled a desire to formalize co-operation between the two jurisdictions.
• In 2023, Alberta hosted a delegation of German education ministers.
• Alberta’s Minister of Education was invited to visit Germany by education ministers in the delegation.

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