On May 28, 2020, the members of the WFCP gathered via conference call for the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Board and the WFCP member attendees heard from Chair Craig Robertson about the events of the last year and how the Federation has evolved throughout the year of 2019. Wayne Wheeler (Deputy Chair, Americas), Xuesong Shen (Deputy Chair, Asia), and Co-Deputy Chairs, Europe, David Hughes and Iñigo Araiztegui Arraiz, reported to the AGM attendees about the state of education in their countries and how the WFCP can support professional and technical education and training. Members also heard from Treasurer, John Henik, about the financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. The 2019-20 Annual Report was presented at the AGM and is available at the WFCP website along with previous Reports.

During the AGM, WFCP members elected five Directors to the Board; two are returning, while Ms. Glory Mutungi Kambanja, Ms. Qurrat ul Ain and Dr. Jefferson Manhães de Azevedo will serve their first terms on the WFCP Board of Directors, effective immediately.

The elected Board members are:

Dr. Jefferson Manhães de Azevedo, National Council for the Federal Network of Vocational, Scientific and Technological Education (Conif), Brazil
Full Professor and Rector of the Fluminense Federal Institute (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Jefferson Manhães de Azevedo participated in the transformation of the Federal Technical School of Campos at the Federal Center of Technological Education (now called Fluminense Federal Institute, IFF).  He began his path at IFF as a teacher, going through the coordination of the computerization area of administrative and academic processes. He has held positions such as Director and Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. He has taught for 25 years in TVET (Vocational, Technician, Undergraduate and Post-Graduate levels) and has held positions in public education management for 18 years.  Since 2016 Mr. Manhães has been representing Conif as a UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre and as coordinator of the Conif International Affairs Chamber.

Dr. Larry Rosia, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Canada; President, Post-Secondary International Network Saskatchewan Polytechnic Administrative Offices
As President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Dr. Larry Rosia is responsible for leading the development of Sask Polytech’s vision and for providing strategic direction to the organization, enabling it to sustain its momentum and capitalize on new opportunities. His priorities include ensuring that students have access to a high-quality, innovative post-secondary education, that employers have access to a highly skilled and qualified workforce that contributes to Saskatchewan’s prosperity, and that Sask Polytech nurtures a positive and vibrant workplace environment. Dr. Rosia has more than 20 years of leadership experience in educational administration and has served in advisory roles to community, provincial and municipal committees.  He has and is serving as a Director or Board Member for several Regional, National, and International organizations. Notable recognition includes the SAIT Board of Governor Award for Business and Industry Partnerships, the Conference Board of Canada Award for Business and Industry Partnerships, the Chair Academy International Exemplary Leadership Award, the Saskatchewan Men of Influence Award, and the Paul A. Elsner Excellence in Leadership Award.

Dr. Donna Powell-Wilson, Executive Director, The Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ)
Dr. Donna Powell Wilson is a dedicated and passionate professional who has a special interest in Mathematics Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Leadership and Technology. Dynamic leader par excellence, Dr. Powell Wilson has been Executive Director of the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica since January 2014. This erudite educator has vast experience, over 20 years, at the secondary and tertiary levels of the education system. Fully committed to volunteerism, Dr. Powell Wilson is a Justice of the Peace for the parish of St Catherine. She is also actively involved at her place of worship, the Elim Open Bible Church, where she previously served as Sunday School Teacher and is the current Church Secretary and President of the Women’s Group. Other areas of service include valuable Board Member of Tarrant Primary School, her alma mater. Dr. Powell Wilson received the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation in 2017 for over 25 years of service to education.

Glory Mutungi Kambanja, Chief Principal, Nairobi Technical Training Institute; National Chairperson, Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI)
Glory Kambanja Mutungi has close to 20 years’ experience in the TVET sector after she joined the Nkabune Technical Training Institute as a lecturer in the Department of Business in 1999. She was promoted to serve as Dean of Students from 2000 – 2004 before being appointed as Deputy Principal a year later and rose to the position of a Senior Principal at Nkabune T.T.I. In 2018, she took over her current position of Chief Principal Nairobi T.T.I. While in Nkabune T.T.I., Ms. Glory Kambanja Mutungi witnessed the expansion of the institution in terms of the student population and physical infrastructure.  In the years 2009/2012, she steered Nkabune Technical Training Institute to be ranked position five twice in the last three financial years Performance Contract out of 68 Institutions. Glory has also organised and participated in many conferences and workshops, both local and international, that are geared towards the promotion of TVET.

Qurrat ul Ain, Program Director & CEO, Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management Faisalabad (ITHM), Pakistan
Ms. Qurrat ul Ain is well recognized in the TVET sector of Pakistan. She is leading the Committees on Tourism, Hospitality and technical education of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ms. Qurrat ul Ain was pivotal in establishing ITHM in Faisalabad in 2004. Given the growth potential of the tourism and hospitality (TH) sector, Ms. Qurrat ul Ain aimed to enable the poor and marginalized youth, especially women, to access training in trades that will lead them to promising income-earning opportunities.  She is currently working as President Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Additionally, she works closely with USAID, World Bank, through ORIC department of different universities for mentoring & development of start-ups & young women entrepreneurs. Recently, during World Business Angel’s Forum (WBAF) summit in Istanbul, she has been elected as Senator to Pakistan. She is also a brand ambassador for GC women university Faisalabad.

The WFCP welcomes the new and returning Board members!

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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