AC/CDI College International Business Management program holds first graduation
July 7, 2023
This convocation ceremony — the first such celebration since the two colleges signed their partnership in June 2022 — took place at the Light Presbyterian Church in Mississauga, and was attended by representatives from both AC and CDI, including Patrick Devey, AC’s Associate Vice President, Global, Online and Corporate Learning; Ernest Mulvey, AC’s Director, International Education Centre; guest speaker Suzanne McKrimmon, Executive Director of Economic Development at North Simcoe; and Yul Kim, CDI College’s Senior Vice President.
Kim delivered the welcoming address, sharing his own story of coming to Canada and the challenges he overcame as an international student. He urged students to “err in kindness” in their endeavours and wished them success in the exciting adventures ahead.
Simran Kaur, the International Business Management class representative, acknowledged the achievement, dedication and sacrifice of her classmates, urging them to view graduation as the start of their journey. She thanked the College for both the lessons learned and for instilling a sense of curiosity, critical thinking skills and a desire for lifelong learning.
Learners in the International Business Management program study at CDI’s campus in Mississauga and receive an Algonquin College credential upon graduation. The program develops the skills necessary to understand and manage international business activities and the global market. Students engage with case studies, develop mock business plans, learn to create feasibility studies and gain an understanding of various financial reports.
The AC/CDI partnership agreement was formally signed on June 7, 2022. CDI, which is a private career college, operates across Canada with more than 14,000 students, though the AC partnership only extends to its campuses in the Greater Toronto Area. The partnership was developed to support Algonquin College’s strategy to enhance its global presence by increasing international enrolment. Revenue garnered from the partnership is intended to be strategically reinvested to support program development, curriculum renewal and technology at the College’s Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth and AC Online campuses.