Canada’s University of Windsor is considering a joint venture proposal with Study Group International (SGI) that would see the company establish a for-profit college on campus for international students.
According to reports, if the deal is approved by the university’s senate in February, ISG’s international study centre would open its doors as early as this September.
A handful of Canadian universities have similar joint venture arrangements with Navitas, but the Windsor deal is the first in the country for SGI, and it’s raised concerns amongst teaching staff.
In an op-ed published in the Windsor Star, professor James Winter says the deal will compromise the quality and reputation of the university. He cautions that the desire of the university to tap into potential new revenue streams “must not lead us to abandon academic integrity.”
The University of Windsor faculty union is also speaking out and campaigning against the joint venture. Any information or experiences colleagues have had with SGI that might be helpful for the union’s campaign would be greatly welcomed.
UCU is producing some briefing materials on Study Group International which we will post up here shortly.
In the meantime, you can view a briefing document we produced on the phenomenon of private providers in ‘pathway’ programmes recently here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/l/privatecospathwayprovision.pdf
I’ll post it in the resources section too. Hope it helps!
Please review the previous bad experience that Canada College of English has with Study Group when they partnership.
Thanks
I did NOT have a bad experience. Study Group is a reputable company and it was a good relationship.
My comments are pointing out the huge benefits in Canadian universities partnering with private CANADIAN owned institutions rather than international off shore owned companies.
I actually have a private public partnership with a public college. It works very well.