CNF welcomes Cégep Gerald Godin: a promising collaboration

CNF welcomes Cégep Gerald Godin: a promising collaboration.

During 3 days, Collège Nordique was pleased to welcome Valérie Gosselin, Director of Continuing Education and Business Services, and Sophie Guerguerian, Business Advisor, from Cégep Gérald-Godin for an exploratory visit. The meeting marked the beginning of a promising collaboration between our two establishments, with the primary objective of strengthening francophone education in our communities. 

Shared realities and objectives.

As part of the visit, various discussions took place, highlighting partnership opportunities and the shared desire to combine our strengths to create a significant impact. Themes such as early childhood, francization programs and the indigenization of curriculum and learning practices were identified as areas of mutual interest. 

Valérie and Sophie had the opportunity to meet the Collège Nordique team as well as several local partners, giving them a better understanding of the unique realities of the Far North. Their participation in cultural activities, such as visits to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and the Legislative Assembly, enriched their experience. 

The start of a fruitful collaboration.

This first step marks the beginning of a collaboration that promises to be fruitful in the months and years to come. The possibilities for partnership are numerous, both on the post-secondary side and in continuing education, offering a wide range of opportunities to strengthen Francophone education in our communities. 

"I found it fascinating to talk to a small post-secondary institution with similar minority language issues. Although Cégep Gérald-Godin is located in Quebec, it is in a predominantly English-speaking region. It is the only French-language post-secondary institution in its area, and plays an important role in the development of francophones on the West Island of Montreal. In addition to sharing interests in similar fields of study, our two institutions have a common vision of contributing to the development and strengthening of Francophone communities," says Patrick Arsenault, CNF Director.

It's also important to note Cégep Gérald-Godin's ongoing commitment to the francophone community outside Quebec, as evidenced by their general manager's participation in last year's CNF community forum. In addition, Natalia Perez Pedraza, a French teacher at Collège Nordique, will be presenting at the next ACFAS conference on May 17, 2024, along with several other speakers, including a representative from Cégep Gérald-Godin, on the theme "Enjeux et perspectives de la francophonie éducationnelle". 

Together, we are demonstrating our commitment to the promotion of francophone education across Canada, while attracting the interest and support of all educational institutions and organizations in the Canadian francophonie. This collaboration between Collège Nordique and Cégep Gérald-Godin is a testament to our shared desire to create a more inclusive and dynamic educational future for everyone. 

To find out more about Cégep Gérald-Godin, visit their website.