Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) classes are now available to students across the globe in India.  

Through a collaboration with the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE), Government of Karnataka, India, the MCCC Global Academy will be offering DCTE students online and on-campus courses for the Tourism and Hospitality Management Associate Degree Program.

Officials from the Government of Karnataka, MCCC and Pennsylvania met virtually via WebEx on Oct. 25 to celebrate the new partnership. From India, Mr. Pradeep P IAS, Commissioner, DCTE; Mr. Kumar Nalk IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Government of Karnataka; Dr. Vijay Chauthalwale, Department of Foreign Affairs, BJP; Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan, Hon. Minister of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka; Mr. Basavaraj Bommal, Hon. Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka; and Mr. Manjunath R, Director, Department of Technical Education, Government of Karnataka, attended.

“We are pleased to partner with the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education, Government of Karnataka, to offer our Tourism and Hospitality Management Program to students in India,” said Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President. “This is the first initiative of the new collaboration, and we look forward to expanding our offerings in the future. Montco is for all learners, at all ages and stages of life, and we are pleased to extend this reach globally, further enriching the student experience.”

MCCC’s Tourism and Hospitality Management Program prepares students for careers in convention and visitors bureaus, destination management companies, restaurants, parks, casinos, hotels and resorts, among other businesses. As the economy recovers from the pandemic, jobs in these fields will be in great demand. In Montgomery County alone, tourism spending generated more than $1.63 billion in 2019.

“We are excited about this partnership,” said Marcel L. Groen, Treasurer, MCCC Board of Trustees. “While this is the first initiative of its kind, we expect it to grow exponentially. The Board bases its decision-making for programs such as this upon it giving results that will advance the College’s core mission of serving the educational, workforce and cultural needs of our students. The Board makes these decisions through the lens of ensuring programs are innovative and sustainable and will provide meaningful learning experiences that afford access to and drive success.”

Rep. Madeleine Dean, U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 4th Congressional District, offered her congratulations through a video-recorded presentation.

“I want to congratulate both the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education, Government of Karnataka, India, and Montgomery County Community College for this tremendous new partnership,” said Rep. Dean. “We have an exciting moment here in Montgomery County for community colleges. Your partnership showcases the potential and innovation of these institutions, which have long provided accessible higher education. With this program in Karnataka, the capacity of Montgomery County Community College will be felt across continents, and frankly, around the world.”

Noe Ortega, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, joined the virtual ceremony to offer his congratulations.

“Congratulations to the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education and Montgomery County Community College on this historic new partnership. In an increasingly global and digital world, it is critical now more than ever to foster connections with one another. By joining forces, you certainly have taken a step to a renewed commitment to global learning, and to me that is extremely important,” said Ortega. “You are creating access to new languages and cultures, curriculum and training and job experiences, which I think will benefit both the students of Karnataka and those who are here in Pennsylvania.”

DCTE students who enroll in the program through the MCCC Global Academy will take the preparation coursework through the DCTE in Karnataka, India, during the first year of the program. After successfully completing all of the requirements, students will take the remaining 20 courses through the MCCC Global Academy.

Students can take courses online or on-campus at MCCC’s Blue Bell and Pottstown Campuses or in a hybrid format. MCCC offers a flexible class format to allow students to select the modality that works best for them and their schedules.

Through the MCCC Global Academy, all students will have full access to MCCC’s student support services, including 24/7 online tutoring, library resources, academic advising and wellness support, as well as MCCC’s athletics, clubs and organizations.

Upon completion of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Program Associate Degree Program, graduates can start their careers or continue their education. MCCC has agreements with more than 30 transfer partner schools that allow students to transfer their credits seamlessly to earn their next degree. The Tourism and Hospitality Management Program also offers internship opportunities for students at numerous places in the tourism and hospitality industries.

MCCC is fully accredited by the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.