Students from Fontys University learn about eye-tracking technology in Humber's Usability Lab with George Paravantes, Program Coordinator of User Experience Design.

Humber-Fontys collaboration brings global ICT learning to campus

April 10, 2019

Humber’s internationalization is at its most inspiring when our community collaborates with partners to create innovative international learning experiences for our students and faculty. This was the case with the recent collaboration between Humber’s Faculty of Media and Creative Arts and Fontys University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

The two polytechnic leaders joined forces at Humber in February for a dynamic weeklong knowledge exchange. Through workshops, presentations and industry visits, students and faculty leveraged each other’s expertise to increase capacities, discover new learning approaches and better understand the field of information communication technology (ICT) from a global perspective.

The powerful benefits of international collaboration

Led by Humber’s Bianca DiPietro (PC Graphic Design) and Sarah English (PC Bachelor of Design), this program was a highly interactive and largely self-directed experience for both students and faculty.  Topics ranged from interactive storytelling and brand building to audience profiling and the future of design. In a rapidly evolving field, innovative learning models and fostering global perspectives are essential for student development.

“These collaborations with our international partners benefit our students in so many ways,” says Larisa Duravetz, Manager, Placements & International Initiatives at the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts. “Students get to share their own knowledge and experience and explore their field of study from a different cultural perspective—it’s a powerful way to build self-awareness and confidence.”

Internationalization right at here at home

As this experience shows, we don’t have to go far to create global learning opportunities for our community. And as not all students embark on study abroad programs, it is really important to make internationalization a focus at home. These international collaborations enhance the ways students develop the knowledge, skills and mindsets they need to lead and successfully transition into industry. The impact is even more powerful for students who are entering fields influenced by technology and innovation.

Aimee Ferré, Study Abroad Coordinator for the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts, sums up the experience well, “We hoped that this short term exchange would inspire students to embrace international learning and take advantage of more opportunities like this. The enthusiasm coming out of the program tells us it worked!”

Watch a video recap of the week, produced by Fontys ICT students.