Tuesday 19 March 2019
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq has signed an agreement to support the admission of Guernsey students wishing to undertake further education at the University of Caen in Normandy.
The agreement aims to facilitate the integration of Guernsey students in the University and to support students wishing to pursue studies abroad.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations, signed the agreement on behalf of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture. The agreement was also signed by Mr Pierre Denise, President of the University of Caen Normandie, Ms. Virginie Catherine, Director of the Regional Centre for University and School Projects, and Mr Jean-Marc Julienne, President of the Joint Association of Normandy and La Manche.
This agreement outlines a number of ways in which support will be provided to Guernsey students who wish to pursue further studies at the University of Caen in order to develop their language skills and benefit from a wide range of courses at a European university. This includes support that will be provided for students undertaking foundation language courses as well as those pursuing Bachelor's courses.
Improving educational links between the Channel Islands and France also forms a key part of the cooperation agreement that was originally signed between Guernsey, Jersey, the region of Normandy and the department of La Manche in 2015.
Member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said:
"The Channel Islands have a strong cultural and historical link with the region of Normandy and in recent years we have been working hard across government to improve links in a wide number of areas with our closest European neighbour. Education, sports, culture and heritage was an area that was identified as a priority for joint working in the original cooperation agreement that was signed in 2015, and I am pleased to have been able to sign this agreement on behalf of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, which aims to provide greater opportunities for our Guernsey students looking to pursue their studies abroad."
President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture Deputy Matt Fallaize said:
"The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture is committed to improving educational opportunities for all our students on island, and the signing of this agreement provides additional opportunities for students to pursue further education off island. European universities can provide unique opportunities for students to develop their language skills at the same time as undertaking further study. The University of Caen is attending the Higher Education Fair this week to enable students to learn more about what is on offer for them at the university, and we will continue to work with our Norman partners to improve educational outcomes for all our students."
