Manitouwadge signs MOU with Superior Preparatory Academy

by Karina Hunter

And a handshake, much like the first between prospectors who built Manitouwadge, marks the beginning of an extraordinary venture between Canadabridge represented by Morley Chertkoff on the left and Manitouwadge represented by Mayor John MacEachern.

Township of Manitouwadge members of Council and the MEDC (Manitouwadge Economic Development Corporation) Board, the general public and the press gathered in Council Chambers Wednesday, March 31^st to witness the signing of a historically significant document for both Manitouwadge and Canada. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by Morley Chertkoff, International Studies Director for Canadabridge Education Inc. (CBEI), a Canadian subsidiary of Zhengzhou College of Economics in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, the People’s Republic of China (Zhengzhou pronounced jungjoe”) and His Worship John MacEachern, Mayor of the Corporation of the Township of Manitouwadge recognizes, among other things, Manitouwadge as the Canadian pilot for a Community Based English as a Second Language Institution called Superior Preparatory Academy (SPA), and soon to be the new hometown of students from China who will study there as the prepare for the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, ON.

After the formalities Chertkoff cuts the cake to celebrate with those gathered.

Superior Preparatory Academy is a private, Community Based ESL (English as a Second Language) institution at which Chinese secondary and post-secondary graduates, 17 to 22 years of age, recruited by CBEI, will study while living as active, contributing members of Manitouwadge by participating, outside of their regular school programs, in extracurricular groups, activities or events happening within the community.  They will, through work and play, learn more about Canadian culture and customs, become proficient in English and most importantly build a network of friends to provide moral support and a Canadian home away from home that they can return to during reading weeks, holidays or between semesters at Confederation.  With a significant percentage of those who will study at Superior Preparatory Academy and subsequently the English for Academic Purposes program at Confederation, having degrees in business related fields from their studies at Zhengzhou College of Economics or Confederation it is also hoped they may find Manitouwadge the ideal location to purchase or open a business after graduation.   

Chertkoff and MacEachern credited Confederation College (click here to view post about Thunder Bay Signing Ceremony) as having played a significant role in bringing this project to fruition; Miriam Wall, Director of
Confederation’s International Education Centre at the Thunder Bay Campus continues working diligently to facilitate the acquiring of Visas by SPA students to acquire visas.  “This is an excellent opportunity for the Township
of Manitouwadge and a winning proposition for everyone involved”, said MacEachern, “We are very happy that Confederation College is a party to this agreement, because without its involvement; we would not be able to proceed.  This is an excellent example of a project, where, when we all work together; we can really make things happen in Northwestern Ontario.” International students graduating from a three year diploma program at Confederation can apply for work permits of up to three years in Canada or continue in a degree program at Lakehead University (Thunder Bay) and it is expected that many of the students from the Academy may pursue these options.

The announcement of CBEI deciding to base Superior Preparatory Academy in Manitouwadge is very good news in the Northern Community which boomed in the early1990’s during the Hemlo Gold Rush and put itself back on the map at the turn of this millennium with its Annual Free Home Give-a-way in which a luxury home was given away for three consecutive years.  The town now with a population of approximately 2,300 boasts many newer facilities including a town hall, hospital and high school.  It seems quite fitting that the town which was Ontario’s first ‘model town’ and prides itself on being ‘built on a handshake’ would be at the helm of another groundbreaking venture as Canada’s first Community Based ESL.  Those in attendance at the signing seemed overwhelmingly, positive about the program not surprising as in recent years, they have seen many services and programs cut or eliminated due to insufficient numbers or participation levels.  

Why Community Based Learning? Chertkoff has shared the story of one of his students who had been in Vancouver.  The student called Chertkoff quite discouraged on Thanksgiving Day, he was feeling isolated and alone as the majority of his classmates from the Canadian school at which he was studying were gone home to celebrate with family and friends – not an option for those whose homes were on the other side of the globe. The feelings of sequestration were compounded by the feeling that his (the sutdent’s) English speaking abilities had actually deteriorated since coming to Canada – while enrolled at the Zhengzhou College of Eonomics in China he had been focused when studying English in the classroom, his transfer to Canada found him rarely having opportunity to speak in ‘real life’ settings. This was when Chertkoff realized there had to be a better way for Chinese students to learn English and prepare for post-secondary studies in Canada; they needed opportunities to practice English in day-to-day situations,they needed a place to really call home including support of Canadian friends ot a surrogate family, and the opportunity to learn about Canadian cultures and traditions so different from their own before being in situations were knowledge of these was requiried – the dream of Superior Preparatory Academy was born. Chertkoff spoke with his employer, Mr. Qiao Xin Jian. 

It has been nearly two years since Dave Raymond, Economic Development Officer for the Township of Manitouwadge received the initial email from Morley Chertkoff; he had visited Canada on several occasions specifically looking for the right community with which to partner, Manitouwadge had been the last on a list of approximately a dozen in which he had as a ‘secret shopper’ explored the towns looking for somewhere welcoming and safe, with modern facilities and open-minded residents.  As a Canadian national, Chertkoff new that any city that gave him the cold shoulder, someone who looked and spoke so much like everyone else, they certainly would not be able to welcome the Chinese students with limited language skills and customs very different from those of Canadians who he hoped would study through their community-based program.  Chertkoff was happy to share with Raymond news of how Manitouwadge businesses and residents had treated him so warmly, with respect and patience as if he had been a neighbour or friend, 

“I was not at all surprised by the warm reception that Mr. Chertkoff received from local businesses and organizations while he was visiting Manitouwadge. The friendly nature of our community is one of the main reasons that Manitouwadge was considered as a location to house international students.” said Raymond.  The EDO knew this was an opportunity that Manitouwadge could not afford to loose, he did not hesitate to reply to Mr. Chertkoff that he was indeed interested in exploring the possibilities.

And a handshake, much like the first between prospectors who built Manitouwadge, marks the beginning of an extraordinary venture between Canadabridge (represented by Morley Chertkoff) on the left and Manitouwadge (represented by Mayor John MacEachern).

As a private institution, CBEI will have much money to spend in the establishment of Superior Preparatory Academy in Manitouwadge they feel confident Manitouwadge’s infrastructure can accommodate a hundred students at a time; though initial plans are to use the town’s recreation centre to house classes while the project is in “pilot” status with first 50 or so students (already on a waiting list) afterwards they will construct their own facilities, sourcing labour primarily from Manitouwadge and Northwestern Ontario. Likewise CBEI will employ their own teachers with priority to be given to those applying from Manitouwadge and the near by Fist Nations community of Pic River which was quick to connect with Chertkoff when the project was announced. Pic River First Nation was among several nearby towns eager to meet and speak with Chertkoff during his two day stay prior to the signing ceremony. White River, a 90 minute drive from Manitouwadge, sent their EDO, James Bernardi to share the community’s interest in the program. Miriam Wall, Director, International Education for Confederation College was thrilled with the project’s potential benefits across Northwestern Ontario  “Confederation College is committed to the growth and development of communities throughout Northwestern Ontario and this project is an excellent example of our commitment to its sustainability and health while, at the same time, contributing to the enhancement of global communities.”

There are currently more than two thousand full-time college students taking classes through the organization for which Chertkoff works; six million university students across China. College students studying with the Yi Qiao Company are provided with a focus on real skills development and practical, hands-on learning however, for many of today’s students, the limitations of following a Chinese based curriculum, either in an adult education or university setting has left them yearning for Western studies and the limitless opportunities Canadian colleges like Confederation, have to offer.  Manitouwadge has a big opportunity and responsibility as the first Canadian Community Based ESL it will be creating a benchmark by which all future institutions of this kind will be measured.  Chertkoff referred to language as a valuable renewable resource “I am thrilled, as a business man and a Canadian, to be involved in the creation of Superior Preparatory Academy, the first Community Based ESL in Canada”.

Links in this document provided courtesy of www.OntarioNewsNorth.com