Non-profit education company gets loan for Abu Dhabi contract

Non-profit education company gets loan for Abu Dhabi contract
Fri. Feb 6 (Chronicle Herald)

The Nova Scotia government has provided a non-profit company, which has secured a contract in Abu Dhabi, with a $250,000 loan to help with start-up costs.

EduNova of Halifax is in the first year of a three-year, $24-million contract to help Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates implement a new school curriculum and train teachers and principals.

The company, which is a co-operative of public and private educational institutions from across Nova Scotia, fosters international connections in education and training. It recruits experienced teachers and school administrators to mentor teachers and principals overseas

The loan is to help with recruitment, travel and housing associated with the Abu Dhabi contract, said Ava Czapalay, president of EduNova.

"Essentially we had to mobilize 41 staff, and in Abu Dhabi you have to pay for a year’s worth of accommodation up front," she said. "The loan from the province is to help us manage the size of that contract."

Members of EduNova, which got its start in 2004, include Nova Scotia universities; public, private and independent schools; the Nova Scotia Community College; and local companies with specialized training experience.

It is funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Department of Economic Development and members of the co-operative.