Representatives from EUC-Syd in Sonderborg, Denmark visited and signed a Memo of Understanding (M.O.U.) with Cleveland State Community College virtually. With a little help from CSCC’s Media Center and Adobe Connect Pro technology, representatives from EUC-Syd in Sonderborg, Denmark and CSCC in Cleveland, Tennessee were able to be at the same place at the same time.

The collaboration between CSCC and EUC-Syd will provide many benefits for both the institutions and their students. It will promote more efficient use of the available resources and prepare the students to function more effectively in an increasingly international and technologically connected world.

“This particular technology (Adobe Connect Pro) is getting to be pretty common across the state of Tennessee,” stated Dr. Ron Paige, Director of Instructional Technology and Multi-Media Services. “It allows us to meet in real time using the Internet and VoIP technology to essentially see, hear, and share documents with anybody who has access to the Internet anywhere in the world, and we actually have as good as, if not better activity with the Internet than with our telephone lines so we will be able to see the people we are speaking with. They will be able to see us simultaneously. The technology is smart enough that it actually knows who is talking and it shuts down the microphone on the other side so we do not talk over each other and get audio feedback. It is a really smart system….for the cost, the features, and the functionality, it is just unbeatable.”

Dr. Carl Hite, CSCC President, said, “I think this M.O.U. is a wonderful opportunity for the college. We feel that we have a lot to be gained, particularly in the area about sustainability. They, in turn, have expressed an interest about what we have done with our Math Lab, so we feel this will be a mutually beneficial relationship.”

“EUC-Syd finds the international partnership with Cleveland State Community College very important, stated Hans Lehmann, Vice Principal, EUC-Syd. “Travelling and experiencing other societies and cultures are essential for young people, not just for their own lives, but for Denmark, as we will all benefit from future generations being able to integrate the international dimension in private life and jobs. Our students will benefit and improve their technical skills and personal skills. EUC Syd is very much looking forward to cooperating with Cleveland State Community College, and we believe that we learn from each other and joint develop our colleges.”

Through the M.O.U., CSCC and EUC-Syd agreed to the following goals:

?          the enhancement of existing curricular offerings of each institution by means of in-depth comparison and review whether special focus on sustainability and the use of new technology to deliver curriculum offerings; 

?          the exchange of expertise in new developments in education and technical training, particularly in the areas that lend themselves to electronic connectivity;

?          the establishment of guest lectures delivered by distance technology and/or instructor exchange;

?          the formation of partnerships between the two colleges, public authorities, the business community and other educational establishments.

            The following joint activities are planned:

?          the exchange of college representatives;

?          the review and comparison of the curriculum and the development of innovative curriculum, teaching materials, methods and modules exploiting, the new educational technologies and distance learning;

?          the establishment of guest lectures;

?          the exchange of students, lecturers and non-teaching staff;

?          exploring the possibilities of students working on joint sustainable learning projects.

            Formal procedures and a time schedule for transatlantic co-operation will be established, including: the identification within each college of an administrative unit responsible for the collaborative effort; the establishment of a time schedule for exchanges; and the evaluation and possible restructuring of the collaborative agreement.

Both colleges are members of the Transatlantic Technology and Training Alliance, or TA3. This is a membership consortium of more than 30 leading community and technical colleges, and several state system offices in the U.S., Europe and South Africa that promotes community colleges’ efforts to support their regional economies, and promotes the value and importance of a global perspective on community college missions.

The TA3 seeks to be a leading alliance in fostering international exchange and insight among community and technical colleges, particularly among industrialized nations.
The TA3's mission is to support learning, innovation and exchange among institutions offering pre-baccalaureate technical education, to promote policies and research that support their ability to be effective leaders in regional economic development, and to disseminate lessons learned.