New Agreement to Expand Degree-Completion Opportunities for Aboriginal Students
February 13, 2006
The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) and the University of
Northern British Columbia (UNBC) have signed an agreement that will
ease the transfer of students between the institutions.
The intent of the agreement between NVIT and UNBC is to increase the availability of post secondary educational opportunities for British Columbia Aboriginal students. As a result, students will more easily be able to transfer their credits from NVIT’s certificate and diploma programs towards completing a UNBC degree. In addition, the two institutions will explore opportunities for developing new programs.
Based in Merritt, NVIT has a provincial mandate to deliver aboriginal post-secondary education. Nearly 80% of its 870 students are aboriginal. UNBC has about 4300 students and nearly 12% are aboriginal, the highest proportion of any British Columbia university. While its core campus is in Prince George, UNBC offers courses in more than a dozen communities around northern BC.
“We are very pleased to enter into this protocol agreement and look forward to the development of specific collaborative initiatives with UNBC,” says NVIT President Casey Sheridan. “We see UNBC as an excellent university partner to work with to enhance postsecondary access and services for Aboriginal students across BC.”
“Increasing access to a university education has been an integral part of UNBC’s mandate since day one,” says UNBC President Charles Jago. “NVIT has been successful at drawing students from around western Canada, and our partnership will provide those students with more opportunities to complete their education in BC.”
Presidents Jago and Sheridan signed the agreement today.
Contact:
Verna Billy Minnabarriet, Dean of Academic & Partnership Development, NVIT – 250.378.3381
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622
The intent of the agreement between NVIT and UNBC is to increase the availability of post secondary educational opportunities for British Columbia Aboriginal students. As a result, students will more easily be able to transfer their credits from NVIT’s certificate and diploma programs towards completing a UNBC degree. In addition, the two institutions will explore opportunities for developing new programs.
Based in Merritt, NVIT has a provincial mandate to deliver aboriginal post-secondary education. Nearly 80% of its 870 students are aboriginal. UNBC has about 4300 students and nearly 12% are aboriginal, the highest proportion of any British Columbia university. While its core campus is in Prince George, UNBC offers courses in more than a dozen communities around northern BC.
“We are very pleased to enter into this protocol agreement and look forward to the development of specific collaborative initiatives with UNBC,” says NVIT President Casey Sheridan. “We see UNBC as an excellent university partner to work with to enhance postsecondary access and services for Aboriginal students across BC.”
“Increasing access to a university education has been an integral part of UNBC’s mandate since day one,” says UNBC President Charles Jago. “NVIT has been successful at drawing students from around western Canada, and our partnership will provide those students with more opportunities to complete their education in BC.”
Presidents Jago and Sheridan signed the agreement today.
Contact:
Verna Billy Minnabarriet, Dean of Academic & Partnership Development, NVIT – 250.378.3381
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622
