Yukon College, University of Saskatchewan build closer ties

Whitehorse –   Students of Yukon College and University of Saskatchewan (USask) will have more access to programs, research and facilities of both institutions as a result of a new agreement between the College and University.

A memorandum of understanding between USask and YC is being signed today by College President Karen Barnes and Peter MacKinnon, president of the Saskatoon-based University.

“This is really a foundation for further collaborative participation that will broaden opportunities for our students, as well as University of Saskatchewan students,” says Shelagh Rowles, the acting vice-president of Education and Training at the College. “It really is creating a ‘two-way street’ for students.”

The MOU states the college and university will look for “appropriate collaborations across the spectrum of their missions”.

This includes things like research, scholarly and artistic work, undergraduate and post-graduate education, and outreach. The two institutions will work together to build more distance education and experiential learning opportunities, as well as developing programs to meet the needs of their Aboriginal partners.

“We are both coming to the table with our existing resources and figuring out how to work together,” says Rowles. “We see that working together mutually, sharing resources creates more opportunity for both our student bodies.”

Officials with Yukon College and USask will meet in January in Whitehorse to discuss specific projects to be developed under the MOU.

USask and Yukon College have worked together on the University of the Arctic project and cultural exchanges, says Rowles, but the MOU takes collaboration to a new level.

“It’s a first step for both our institutions, and we’re incredibly excited at the possibilities that can grow from this agreement,” she says.

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Contact:
John Boivin
Media Coordinator, College Relations
Yukon College
867 668 8786
jboivin@yukoncollege.yk.ca
www.yukoncollege.yk.ca

Jacqueline Bedard
Director, College Relations and Int’l
Yukon College
867.456.8619
jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca