ATLANTA — Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson recently announced the launch of a new International Center for Technical Education that will enhance the TCSG’s global outreach.
 The center’s goal is to build greater worldwide recognition of TCSG education programs while expanding new and existing international student and faculty exchange at the 25 TCSG colleges.
 “The International Center for Technical Education will strengthen the overall mission of the TCSG to create a competitive workforce in Georgia while opening avenues for greater awareness in the worldwide education community about the TCSG colleges and the outstanding quality of our faculty and students,” Jackson said.
“Our plan is to forge international partnerships that will enable the TCSG to solidify its goal of becoming a global leader in technical education.”
 The TCSG International Center for Technical Education will establish collaborations with countries and colleges that are interested in developing and improving their technical workforce through higher education partnerships.
In addition to faculty- and student-exchange programs, international partners can receive TCSG assistance with technical-education curriculum, faculty training, college system management and consultation on accreditation.
 Center staff also will work closely with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the University System of Georgia and the TCSG’s Quick Start workforce training program regarding business recruitment projects for Georgia.
 Jackson has appointed Dr. Sanford Chandler, the current president of Chattahoochee Technical College, to be the assistant commissioner for global initiatives. He’ll lead the center, which will operate from the TCSG system office in Atlanta.
 “I’m looking forward to this new challenge and continuing to make a difference in the lives of students here and abroad. It’s my hope that this international initiative will ultimately help to improve the economic and workforce development of our state,” Chandler said.
 He has guided cooperative agreements between Chattahoochee Technical College and  Changzhou College of Information Technology (China); Sanjiang University (China); Hanyang Women’s University (South Korea); and Tabuk Community College and Tabuk University, Jeddah Community College, and Abdullah Aziz University (Saudi Arabia).
Chandler will transfer to his new position Oct. 1.