Bergen Community College: Bergen British Invasion: U.K. Partners Visit

Press release from Bergen Community College:

PARAMUS, NJ — The British are coming! (Actually, they were already here).

As an inaugural partner in the “U.S.-U.K. Community College and Technical Education Exchange” program organized by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and U.K. Association of Colleges (AoC), Bergen Community College recently hosted students and faculty from Southport College (England) at its main campus in Paramus for an international learning exchange focused on sustainability. Based on its record of excellence in STEM education, the ACCT and AoC selected Bergen as a flagship partner for the learning exchange program launched last year with financial support from the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation.

“I am truly honored that Bergen became one of only two community colleges selected for this prestigious pilot program,” President Eric M. Friedman, Ph.D., said. “The opportunity to participate in a cross-cultural learning experience has offered our faculty, staff and students access to a unique global initiative that has enriched our campus environment.”

Paired with Southport College, members of a Bergen delegation have worked together to collaborate on sustainability-focused projects, with representatives of both colleges visiting the other during the past six months. The most recent November trip to Bergen included site visits to the offices of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 164, PepsiCo, The Hillier College of Architecture and Design at NJIT, and PSE&G to meet with sustainability experts, conduct field work and participate in hands-on experiential learning in the College’s STEM Student Research Center.

“This partnership represents the very best of international collaboration in further education,” Southport Assistant Principal Shaun Hindle said. “For Southport College, it is an opportunity to connect our students with peers across the globe, broadening their perspectives and strengthening our shared commitment to innovation and community impact.”

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.

This press release was produced by Bergen Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.