Five colleges, including Lakeland, signed an agreement to expand education across northern Alberta.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to make education more connected and accessible in the region.
Lakeland College joins Keyano College, Northern Lakes College, Northwestern Polytechnic, and Portage College.
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The agreement will help students move between institutions more efficiently. However, It will also improve student success and help meet local workforce needs.
“Ensuring post-secondary education is accessible and sustainable is a priority,” said Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College.
“That collaboration is the key to ensuring our students have access to a world-class post-secondary education, right here in northern Alberta.”
The partnership will serve students from Lloydminster to Grande Prairie and from Fort McMurray to Vermilion. That is over 700 kilometres east to west and 560 kilometres north to south. Additionally, it includes 34 separate campuses across the region.
The MoU is the first of its kind in northern Alberta and will make it easier for students to stay in the region for their studies.
“Students will benefit from greater choice and flexibility,” said the colleges in a joint statement.
They also plan to create more transfer agreements and share credential recognition.
Lakeland College says this is key to helping students stay local and succeed.
“We are pleased to enter into this agreement and look forward to strengthening our partnerships,” said Wainwright-Stewart.
Meanwhile, Alberta’s advanced education minister, Rajan Sawhney, called the MoU a significant step.
“Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring students in every part of the province have the opportunities and resources they need to succeed,” said Sawhney.
Lakeland College, founded in 1913, serves more than 6,000 students each year. Furthermore, it has campuses in Vermilion and Lloydminster and offers programs in agriculture, business, trades, and more.
For more information, visit lakelandcollege.ca.
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