October 9, 2018

Tonight, the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) presented its third Awards of Excellence, recognizing leaders in the field of professional and technical education and training. The evening, organized and supported by TAFE Directors Australia and the students of Victoria’s TAFE Institutes, featured live performances from the student musicians from Victoria University Polytechnic and a guerilla fashion show by student designers from Holmesglen Institute and Bendigo Kangan Institute.

Ann Bueller, President and CEO of Centennial College in Canada kicked off the night with a keynote address on the importance of recognition, and the strength and value of colleges and polytechnics. General Manager of Microsoft, Karen Kocher gave the second keynote address, speaking on the skilling for jobs of the future.

Recipients were recognized in seven categories, based on the international value of the award-winning institutions, individuals, and programs, as well as their achievements, benefits to students, and innovation.

The 2018 Awards of Excellence recipients are:

Access to learning and Employment

Gold: Australia Pacific Training Coalition, Australia-Pacific Technical College, Australia
Silver: Northern College, Canada
Bronze (Tie): Dr. Lee Lambert & Dr. Ricardo Castro Salazar, Pima County Community College, United States of America AND Qingdao Technical College, China

Applied Research and Innovation
Gold: Niagara College, Canada
Silver: Red River College, Canada
Bronze: mHealth and eHealth Development and Innovation Centre (MEDIC), Mohawk College, Canada

Entrepreneurship
Gold: Craig Elias, Bow Valley College, Canada
Silver: Rizhao Polytechnic, China
Bronze: Taishan Polytechnic, China

Green Colleges
Gold: ENEGUR, Usurbilgo Lanbide Eskola, Basque Country
Silver: TAFE NSW National Environment Centre, Australia
Bronze: Box Hill Institute, Australia

Higher Technical Skills
Gold: Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China
Silver:  Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology, China
Bronze: Chengdu Aeronautic Polytechnic, China

Leadership Development
Gold: Centennial College, Canada
Silver: Naqi Hyder, Durham College, Canada
Bronze: Anne Sado, George Brown College, Canada

Student Support Services
Gold: Apprentice Support Centre, Holmesglen Institute, Australia
Silver: Wuhan Polytechnic, China
Bronze: Qingdao Vocational and Technical College of Hotel Management, China

The Awards of Excellence, held at the World Congress Dinner, also recognized for the first time, Chair’s commendations. These awards recognized individual leaders in professional and technical education and training for their advancement of the sector and commitment to students. The inaugural Chair’s Commendations were awarded to:

• Rod McDonald, Managing Director, Ithaca Group, Australia
• Qurrat-ul-Ain, ITHM College Faisalabad, Pakistan
• Zong Wa, Minister Counsellor for Education, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Australia and long-standing member of the WFCP Board.

Recipients of the 2018 Awards of Excellence are also featured in the Federation’s second volume of the World’s Best Practice Guide. The Best Practice guide is available for download below.

The Chair of the WFCP and the Board of Directors would like to thank the international Awards Committee: Christine Robertson (Australia), Dr. Wilson Conciani (Brazil), Dr. Larry Rosia (Canada), and Yang Li (China) for their dedication in evaluating the 83 nominations received for the 2018 Awards program.

Congratulations to the 2018 Awards of Excellence recipients.

The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) is a member-based international network of colleges, polytechnics, university colleges, institutions and individuals of professional and technical education and training. The Federation provides leadership in delivering workforce education for the global economy.

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For more information:
Tresanna Hassanally
Director
World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics
secretariat@wfcp.org
613-746-2222 ext. 3141
Twitter: @wfcpsecretariat

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