September 25, 2007 - 2:51am
Malaspina University-College and the Cowichan Valley School District #79 (SD79) signed a new five-year agreement Monday, September 24. The Memorandum of Understanding referred to as "The Cowichan Valley Learning Strategy" will strengthen educational collaboration between the two institutions and provide enhanced learning opportunities for Grade 12 students.
"The Strategy is aimed at responding to the learning needs of the Cowichan Valley and acknowledges the potential social, cultural and economic benefits for the region,” said Malaspina University-College President Dr. Ralph Nilson.
“We have enjoyed a productive and rich partnership with the Cowichan Valley School District for years,” Nilson added. “This new umbrella agreement defines and solidifies our collaboration in a more formal way. Malaspina and School District #79 will strive to encourage direct contact and educational and research cooperation between stakeholders including students, faculty, staff and research institutes.”
"I support the type of partnership that has been defined within this new learning strategy,” said Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell. “I commend both Malaspina University-College and the School District on their innovative and collaborative approach to enhancing educational opportunities and access to students in the Cowichan Valley.”
The two organizations will endeavour to cooperate in providing:
Joint educational and research activities to create pathways for student learning;
Exchange of academic materials and academic publications to enhance programs and services;
Community engagement on initiatives/projects of mutual interest;
Engagement/exchange of other staff in educational projects;
Joint strategies to enhance First Nations learning opportunities.
Maria Lauridsen, Interim Campus Principal at Malaspina's Cowichan campus, said several successful partnerships are already in place between Malaspina and the Cowichan Valley School District, and the formal umbrella agreement strengthens those partnerships and provides a solid framework for new ones. For example, the umbrella agreement will result in an expansion of dual credit programming available to grade 12 students in the Cowichan Valley.
“Right now, grade 12 students can earn post-secondary credits for entry level trades training in carpentry framer technician and culinary arts programs,” Lauridsen explained. "Under the new agreement, we’ll expand the range of dual credit programming into other trades areas. With the on-going shortage of skilled trades people, an expansion will enable more high school graduates to move into the workforce with relevant job skills.”
Grade 12 students in the Cowichan Valley can also enroll in evening university courses or programs at Malaspina’s Cowichan campus. The range of course/program offerings will also be expanded under the new agreement, Lauridsen added.
“Malaspina is deeply committed to providing valuable and positive learning opportunities for high school students in the Cowichan Valley,” Nilson said. “Our connection to the School District is growing. We’re very excited to be part of the new Cowichan Place development which is on the immediate horizon. If we're eventually going to share the same premises, it makes the need for a formal partnership agreement between the two institutions more important than ever.”
Betty Milne, School District #79 Superintendent and CEO, said the new umbrella agreement is “the cornerstone of a collaborative effort to create seamless transitions for high school students to post-secondary education and the work place. The new joint strategy is unique to the needs of our students, their families and our communities, and the District is very pleased to be part of it,” she said.
For further information, contact Maria Lauridsen at (250) 746-3506 or Toni O’Keeffe, Director Communications and Public Relations, Malaspina University-College, at (250) 740-6341.
Tags: In the Community
