Ryerson Students Travel to Belgium for Esko Course

Five students from Ryerson University’s Graphic Communications Management program participated in Esko’s recent Honours Class in Flexible Packaging held at Artevelde University College Ghent in Belgium.

“Esko invited students outside of the Artevelde University this year. Ryerson University was the only participant from North America and represented five of the 20 students who participated,” explained Ian Baitz, Chair of Ryerson’s Graphic Communications Management (GCM) program. “They received university credits, participated in plant tours, and were taught by Esko engineers and instructors who are experts in their solutions.

“Students were able to focus for two full weeks on the content of the course, and nothing else,” continued Baitz. “There were 80 hours of classroom time which, in terms of Ryerson, represented two full semester courses.”

The five third-year students from Ryerson GCM received both a theoretical and practical education that included real-life situations, explained Esko, allowing them to experience the complete packaging development process from design concept to ready-to-print flexo plates. The students also visited flexible packaging printer Segers & Belcaen, folding carton packaging printer Du Caju, and flexo service provider Athena Graphics.

“We know that all of the students who attended our program have a very good educational and technical foundation due to the high quality of the classes,” said Jan De Roeck, Director of Solutions Management at Esko. “We are very excited to add our industry expertise to this high quality education program.”

Baitz explains the participating GCM students received significant course work assignments months before the two-week course in Belgium. A post-course assignment was also required.

“The nice thing about this Honours Class was that it combined all of the information we had already received from school, and we gained a more in-depth understanding of Esko’s products and software,” said GCM student Amy Nhan. “I thought there was very good communication between the students and Esko. It opened doors, developed cooperation with other schools and students, and offered new contacts."