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Ryerson MPI training program first in Canada

By René Moortgat

Ryerson’s Ted Rogers School of Management has been chosen by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) as the fourth world site of their Global Training Centers.

“Today is a special day for this university. To be selected speaks volumes of you and of Toronto. This didn’t come by chance,” said David Whitaker, president and chief executive officer of Tourism Toronto. “This university is an outstanding example of excellence,” he said.

Starting in January 2010, Ryerson’s hospitality and tourism management school will receive an MPI Global Training Center, joining three other universities in the United States, France and Qatar.

MPI is developing partnerships with schools and organizations around the world to provide training programs aimed at enhancing professionals’ business skills.

“MPI is looking for partners that are globally recognized, have a strong meeting or event management course and also have a strong business management focus,” said Didier Scaillet, chief development officer of MPI.

“Ryerson brings over 50 years of hospitality and event management education experience to the table, meeting key selection criteria and making it a perfect fit as an MPI Global Training Center,” he said.

The new Global Training Center at the TRSM will offer certificates and certifications, teaching new skills to current and future meeting and event professionals.

“I think it’s a wonderful marriage,” said Judy Healy, who graduated from Ryerson 20 years ago and is now a part time instructor at the TRS. “When I got into the industry I realized meetings and conventions are the thing to do,” she said.

The Global Training Center program was launched in December 2008, and MPI anticipates partnering with at least 14 to 15 additional educational institutions around the world in the coming two years.

Courses offered by MPI in the different Global Training Centers will follow the same curriculum and at this stage will all be offered in English, regardless of location. “This will allow our profession to become more standardized,” said Scaillet.

“What we concluded very quickly is that in taking the partnership between academics and business, great universities like Ryerson seem to be the logical place to deliver it,” said Bruce MacMillan, President and CEO of MPI, and former president of the Toronto Convention and Business Association.

Dr. David Martin, director of the TRSM, said the university was contacted over the summer by MPI about the possibility of a partnership, and added that registration information and links for the new MPI Global Training Center will be available soon on the Hospitality and Tourism program website at www.ryerson.ca/tedrogersschool/htm.


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