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Sheridan students collaborate with those in Ireland by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 13 | Friday, March 11, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A collaborative effort between Sheridan College and a school in Ireland will give students on both sides of the Atlantic an opportunity to make their mark on the global stage. Oakville's Sheridan Centre for Elder Research (SERC) is developing a new worldwide, membership-based information hub and students are tasked with recommending ways it should be organized, marketed and utilized. Meanwhile, the Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT) Dublin in Ireland is working with Sheridan on the project. Adrian Payne, ITT Dublin's head of department for marketing and business computing, visited the Trafalgar Campus Feb. 23 to speak with advertising and marketing communications students about schooling opportunities in Ireland. Maureen Garbutt, advertising and marketing communications professor, met Payne at ITT Dublin last year during International Week ­ an experience she wanted to bring to Sheridan. While overseas, Garbutt set up a Skype call between the schools' students. "I wanted to make it real for the students because it's important for them, from an employer perspective, to have some kind of international contact. Some of them may want to travel, some of them may not want to travel," Sheridan student Janelle Parent checks out ITT Dublin via Google Maps while Adrian Payne from ITT Dublin speaks to Sheridan students about the degree opportunities at his school. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) said Garbutt. "I thought it would be good for them to experience working with other cultures. Because it's global, it would be great to get the Irish perspective on what this hub should look like." Garbutt has worked on projects with SERC before, which led her to becoming friends with the centre's director and founder, Pat Spadafora, she said. "It's an informational hub that will hopefully help businesses figure out how to market to this generation (seniors), as well as address any needs they may have in their actual business locations," said Garbutt. Each team of three or four third-year Sheridan students (62 total) is paired with a group of three second-year ITT Dublin students (about 30 total) to complete hub-related tasks. Specific functions include performing a competitive analysis of other information centres, implementing a social media and digital presence, and making website recommendations and how to market sites in different formats. The students will use Skype and other apps to communicate and share information. "The students are going to be developing ideas and recommendations on how to promote, brand and hopefully make this hub successful," said Garbutt, noting the initiative launched in January. The Sheridan professor hopes her students will acquire contacts in Ireland, gain an understanding of the differences in cultures and expand their knowledge of the aging population. "It's assumed that the aging population doesn't use technology, but they actually do. see While on p.17 FOR LESS. GUARANTEED. LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE. EVERYONE SAYS SAVINGS. WE GUARANTEE IT. PLUMBING FIXTURES FURNITURE 25%-30% OFF GUARANTEED* HOME IMPROVEMENT APPLIANCES 15%-20% OFF GUARANTEED* FLOORING & TILE 10%-20% OFF GUARANTEED* 20%-30% OFF GUARANTEED* * For full details and current savings percentages, please visit www. directbuy.com/savings-guarantee. What is DirectBuy? visit our Gallery corner of Bronte & Dundas weekdays 10-5 / Sat 10-2 We're a buying club that unites hundreds of thousands of savvy shoppers just like you to provide guaranteed minimum savings on nearly everything for your home by eliminating hidden retail markup, and passing these savings on to you. 905-827-3331 fasada.ca Ready to learn more? Schedule an Open House Tour Today! Call 905.608.9244 Visit mississauga.directbuy.com MISSISSAUGA