The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations met today in Ponta Delgada with the President of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CiCan), Denise Amyot, who is visiting the Azores accompanied by the Commercial Advisor to the Canadian Embassy in Portugal, Eurico Nobre.

"This visit is part of a series of actions carried out by the Azorean Government towards an institutional and commercial approach to Canada. In this regard, the Government has prepared an extended programme of contacts and visits, starting with several governmental departments in the areas of employment and vocational training, teaching and education, sea, science and technology," said Rodrigo Oliveira.

The CICan is an association that represents more than 135 polytechnic and university education institutions from Canada at a national and international level, covering about 1.5 million students from all Canadian provinces.

According to Rodrigo Oliveira, the visit made by Denise Amyot, who is also president of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics aims "to promote a mutual understanding on the educational systems and teaching programmes in Canada and the Azores. Moreover, it provides a clear perception about what is being done in the Region in the vocational and polytechnic training for the future identification of common areas of interest and the establishment of concrete relations towards the development of partnerships and cooperation projects."

Organised by the Regional Government and the Embassy of Canada in Lisbon, the programme includes meetings and visits to the School of New Technologies of the Azores, the Hotel and Tourism School and Capelas Vocational Training School, in addition to various meetings promoted by the University Azores with its organisational units.

"This is another example of the work that is being carried out in various areas to strengthen the Region's external and institutional relations", said Rodrigo Oliveira.