A new partnership between four southern Alberta post-secondary institutions is aiming to create a shared vision for the future of higher education, while expanding opportunities for students. On Wednesday, representatives from the University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Red Crow Community College and Medicine Hat College signed a formal agreement to strengthen higher education in the region. “Retaining students in southern Alberta is really important and having these pathways allows students to have different options available to them,” said Lethbridge Polytechnic president and CEO Brad Donaldson. The alliance will focus on four specific areas of collaboration: academic programs, research, student supports and regional stewardship. “Four institutions with such a breadth of mandates working together to help support students and develop collaborative research and support the community, that’s the uniqueness,” said University of Lethbridge president and vice-chancellor Digvir Jayas. “The opportunities created through this collaborative approach will greatly enhance student outcomes by creating more mobility between institutions, enriching educational options through collaborative programs and initiatives and enhancing services and supports.” Through the agreement, academic programs will feature clear articulation pathways between institutions that encourage student mobility with interdisciplinary programs. Research projects will also share facilities and expertise, as well as joint applications for research funding. Student support services will be enhanced through shared resources, while regional stewardship involves the collection and sharing of information and knowledge between schools. “It’s key that we collaborate in order to have true success for all of our students wherever they may be situated or pursuing their education,” said Red Crow Community College interim president Samantha Fox. She says every institution offers its own gifts, stories and responsibilities for the community its in. “When we come together in Innakotsiiysinni — respect for one another — we honour the land, uplift our learners and ensure that the wisdom of our ancestors guides our future,” said Fox. “Our partnership and commitment bring balance, respect for each Nation and institution, and help create a place where all learners can learn, thrive and belong.” The alliance idea began as a vision by Medicine Hat College president and CEO Kevin Shufflebotham. “The opportunity for students to move seamlessly through our institutions just seems to make sense,” he said. “Gone are the days where we can act independently. We need to work together; we need to collaborate and if we put the student at the centre I think we can really support that.” After graduation, the alliance hopes to be able to retain that talent in southern Alberta. “History studies show that if a student can be educated in the region that they live, they tend to stay so they’re contributing to the growth of the communities they’re from and the region as a whole, so this is just a great opportunity to help the region grow both economically and socially,” Donaldson said. “While the post-secondaries already collaborate together, the partnership will strengthen the commitment to work together going forward.” “This is just the start of the conversation,” Shufflebotham added. “Now, we have this agreement and I think we’re going to start seeing some really, really good things come out of it.”
