BCTC advances the Strength in Partnership Dual Degree Program with Ekurhuleni West TVET College

Published on Nov 25, 2024

Lexington, KY – Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) advanced the Strength in Partnership Dual Degree Program with partner Ekurhuleni West TVET College (EWC) in South Africa.

BCTC representatives recently returned from South Africa to further develop the Strength in Partnership Dual Degree Program with Ekurhuleni West TVET College (EWC). Supported by the U.S. State Department, this collaboration, which began in October 2022, aims to enhance academic cooperation and help EWC students earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree from BCTC in Integrated Engineering Technology (Mechatronics) or Information and Computer Technology (ICT). In turn, BCTC students will gain new opportunities through transfer pathways to Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in fields such as Integrated Engineering Technology (IET), Cybersecurity, and Computer Engineering Technology (CET). The partnership also includes joint online learning projects, collaborative lectures, and plans for hands-on, research-based study abroad courses in 2026.

During the trip, BCTC faculty, Cindy Greenwood, provided workforce-based training in Lean Systems Certification for student participants from Anglo American kicking off efforts to pilot best practices affiliated with the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) in the country. Toyota and Anglo American are hoping to launch FAME Chapters in 2025. BCTC was the first community college to implement FAME in the United States in 2014.

The team also visited Capricorn TVET College in Polokwane, where they reconnected with Davidson Maredi, a former Community College Initiative Program scholar who earned various IET certificates at BCTC during 2023–2024. Davidson now serves as a mentor and tutor at Capricorn, exemplifying the impact of these global partnerships on student success.

The visit included detailed workshops and conversations between BCTC and EWC focusing on academic and student support services. The partnership will implement a series of student focused workforce training sessions in 2025 for up to 60 EWC students to lay the groundwork for future vocational collaborations. 

“By combining academic innovation, workforce alignment, and cultural exchange, the partnership between BCTC and South African institutions opens pathways for students to achieve academic and professional success in a globalized economy,” said Erin Howard, Associate Dean for Global Learning at BCTC.  “This initiative underscores BCTC’s commitment to enriching learning opportunities for its students and creating impactful global connections.” 

BCTC Global Learning provides leadership and support for global initiatives for the college including study abroad and study away planning and support, creating and connecting to global experiential learning, providing cross-cultural workshops and opportunities for collaboration, and cultivating international partnerships for the college community.  In addition to the wonderful partners in South Africa, BCTC has vibrant partnerships in Scotland, Ireland, and Kenya. In the summer of 2024, the college, supported by grant funding, sent 52 students abroad to participate in programs focused on both technical and general education studies. As part of these community college study abroad initiatives, BCTC students and faculty from the CIT, CET, and IET programs traveled to Ekurhuleni West TVET in May, where they collaborated with local peers and worked on various projects. 

"Our BCTC team has been working tirelessly for the past two years to strengthen this partnership, creating more opportunities for our students to expand their experiences beyond Kentucky," said Dr. Greg Feeney, President/CEO of BCTC. "As a result, we are proud to offer students worldwide the chance to earn certificates or associate degrees from BCTC, enhancing their education and skills to meet the needs of their home countries. This initiative is a clear example of how global learning experiences inspire students to study abroad and significantly enrich their future endeavors."

The Strength in Partnership effort continues to develop innovative international education opportunities for students, faculty and staff from both countries by connecting students to cutting-edge skills development, workforce opportunities in both spaces, and invaluable cross-cultural experiences to enhance workforce readiness on a global scale. 

To learn more about this partnership please contact Erin Howard at erin.howard@kctcs.edu.