Trent University expanded its international initiatives recently with the signing of a formal agreement between Trent University and the University College of the Cayman Islands. This agreement will see the development of exchanges of students and faculty, joint research projects, and joint cultural and conference programming.

The agreement was formally signed at the “’50-50’ Caribbean Conference: Surveying the Past, Mapping the Future,” held at the University College of the Cayman Islands in George Town, Grand Cayman in March 2012.

Dr. Asaf Zohar, professor and chair of Trent’s Business Administration program and the Sustainability Studies M.A., joined with the acting president of the University College of the Cayman Islands, Dr. Allan Young, to sign the formal agreement. Professor Zohar was accompanied by Drs. Christopher Kyle and Tom Phillips from Trent, and fourth-year student, Shalico Christian (a Trent international student from the Cayman Islands).

For Mr. Christian, the signing of the agreement was a major milestone in his Legacy Project as part of the requirements of the capstone course in Trent’s Business Administration Program.

Prof. Zohar, along with Professors Kyle, and Phillips delivered papers at the conference and began the process of realizing the opportunities that this new international partnership has made possible. Profs. Zohar and Phillips engaged a discussion on ‘The Challenges of Sustainable Economic Growth.’  Professor Kyle discussed the use of DNA analysis in species identification, preservation, and sustainable biodiversity, particularly focused on the unique research opportunities in the Cayman Islands.

The first activities between Trent and the University College of the Cayman Islands are scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2012.

Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2012.