NEWS RELEASE: THE IVORY COAST CALLS UPON LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY TO DEVELOP ITS MINING SECTOR

SUDBURY, ON (February 4, 2016) – Laurentian University has signed an agreement to leverage its expertise in an effort to help evaluate mining training needs in Ivory Coast, implement relevant and viable training programs, and offer tailored French-language programs to Ivorian people.

At the Mine and Agriculture Symposium organized jointly by the Canadian Embassy in Ivory Coast and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with the Groupement des professionnels des mines de Côte d’Ivoire (GPMCI) and Institut National Polytechnique Félix HOUPHOUÊT-BOIGNY (INP-HB). The memorandum aims to develop a qualified local workforce able to respond to the growing needs of the mining industry on the Ivory Coast.

On the heels of the unveiling of three new bilingual engineering programs in November 2015, Laurentian University illustrates, through this new collaboration, the strong added value of its Francophone component and the significant impact of mining training in both English and French, which is already becoming evident on a global scale. The collaboration also aligns with commitments made in its Strategic Plan 2012-2017 for international recognition of its expertise in environment, innovation and mining, and to offer students enriched learning experiences abroad.

Quotes

“The signing of this agreement in Ivory Coast – the result of a fruitful partnership with our Goodman School of Mines and Office of Francophone Affairs – is a testament to our teams’ commitment to offer students our bilingual mining engineering program, to provide opportunities to access enriched learning experiences abroad in both languages, and to strive for organizational excellence, allowing us to keep this promise.”

Dominic Giroux, president and vice-chancellor

“The Goodman School of Mines at Laurentian University is happy to exercise its leadership and promote the abilities of its network of experts, to develop and offer programs adapted to the needs of the mining industry in Ivory Coast. This collaboration – like the one we’ve maintained for more than a year with South Africa – confirms the value of our human capital, and the prime position that Laurentian is carving out for itself globally.”

Bruce Jago, Franco-Nevada executive director, Goodman School of Mines

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges.

Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates. With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $100 million in research income in the past five years.

About Groupement des professionnels des mines de Côte d’Ivoire

Created in 2008, the GPMCI brings together and strengthens all of the players of the Ivorian mining sector and aims to develop a sustainable and competitive mining industry in Ivory Coast.

About Institut National Polytechnique Félix HOUPHOUÊT-BOIGNY

The mission of INP-HB is essentially to provide basic and professional training to high-level technicians, technical engineers and design engineers in the areas of industry, business, administration, civil engineering, mines and geology.

MEDIA CONTACTS

For further information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

In Sudbury:
Joanne Musico
Director, Communications
705-675-1151 ext. 3445
jmusico@laurentian.ca

In Abidjan:
Noémie Théberge
Senior Advisor, Educational Partnerships
Office of Francophone Affairs, Laurentian University
Cell: 705-698-9491 ou 011-225-59-22-84-93
ntheberge@laurentian.ca