Northern College signs MOU with school in Saudi Arabia

Northern College says it will be working with a school in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to advance mining education for students at Saudi Mining Polytechnic.

Northern College officials say a new partnership with a school in Saudi Arabia will strengthen their international reputation with the mining industry on a global scale.

“We’re trying to share the legacy and history of the Haileybury School of Mines, of Northern College, with the world,” said Ahmed Baghdady, executive director of global engagement at Northern College.

“We’re engaging with partners around the world to help them benefit from some of our programs,” Baghdady said.

“And also help us expand our footprint and create additional partnerships for Northern College that will help with other activities, such as international student recruitment and other engagements.”

Earlier this month, Northern College president Mitch Dumas attended the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh to sign a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Mining Polytechnic, a post-secondary institution based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“We understand that Saudi Arabia … is trying to encourage local capacity building and that’s something that we would be very happy to contribute to,” said Baghdady.

“We will, hopefully, be offering some opportunities in Saudi or some in Timmins for Saudi participants to come over and spend time here. And we can offer some of our programs, as well as field visits or placements or other opportunities for them.”

Northern College will share curriculum, provide expertise in program creation and collaborate on research initiatives, which officials said will benefit both institutions and the economies they support.

Baghdady said Northern College has plans to sign more MOUs with other institutions and will update the public when more information becomes available.