Chatham-Kent, University of Windsor sign strategic partnership

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and University of Windsor entered into a strategic partnership to help drive regional innovation and support growth through enhanced educational opportunities and co-operative research.

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A five-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed Friday to formalize a commitment to address community needs, create meaningful learning experiences and foster economic resilience across Chatham-Kent.

University of Windsor president and vice-chancellor Robert Gordon said the school presently has a nursing undergraduate program in Chatham and the goal is to pursue more opportunities to have UWindsor students enrolled in undergraduate and potentially graduate programs in Chatham-Kent.

“We’re looking at trying to find ways of making that happen in a way that makes sense,” he said.

Noting there are UWindsor students currently doing co-op placements and internships here, Gordon said the hope is to build more of those relationships with the chamber commerce and local companies.

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He added the goal is for students to “gain that really important life experience as part of their undergraduate or graduate programs and then stay here in the region, post graduate and really be leaders of this community.”

When asked about his vision for the partnership, Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said, “I always envision very big things so, I look at the sky is the limit on this.”

He said municipal and university representatives met after Friday’s press conference to look at what “low hanging fruit” they can take advantage of.

“Ultimately, we want to see a significant improvement in post-secondary education here,” the mayor said. “We’re excited about this opportunity.”

Training is an important aspect of the partnership.

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Chatham-Kent chief administrative officer Michael Duben said there are about 2,400 staff in the municipality and “almost every position has some sort of need for training.

“We think there’s opportunity there for us as well to discuss that with the university,” he said.

Gordon said the university generates about $45 million a year in external research funding.

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Memorandum of Understanding

The five-year agreement outlines a framework for cooperation in:

• Collaborative Research and Innovation: The partnership will connect UWindsor’s academic expertise with Chatham-Kent’s needs in fields such as agriculture, health, and environmental sustainability. This collaboration will advance research initiatives that provide solutions and strengthen the region’s economic and environmental resilience.
• Experiential Learning: Through placements and internships in Chatham-Kent, UWindsor students will gain hands-on experience, merging their academic studies with practical, career-oriented opportunities. This focus on experiential learning enriches students’ educational journeys and ensures the local workforce is equipped with skilled, emerging talent.
• Professional Development: UWindsor’s continuing education programs will deliver training and development opportunities to Chatham-Kent’s workforce, empowering local staff and residents to build skills, grow professionally, and contribute to the community’s long-term success.

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