Malaspina and School District No. 69 (Qualicum) sign new learning strategy

Malaspina University-College and School District No. 69 (Qualicum) signed five-year agreement Friday, November 23 to promote and enhance educational collaboration between the two institutions.

"The District 69 Learning Strategy is a new framework to support the learning needs of the District 69 area and acknowledge the potential social, cultural and economic benefits for the region,” explained Malaspina University-College President Dr. Ralph Nilson.

“We’ve enjoyed a productive and rich partnership with School District No. 69 (Qualicum) for many years,” he added. “The District 69 Learning strategy is a new umbrella agreement that simply defines and solidifies our collaborative efforts in a more formal way. We want students to have a seamless transition from the K-12 public education system right through to university, and under this new agreement we’ll be looking for new ways to achieve this.”

Each institution will make every effort to encourage direct contact, educational and research cooperation between constituents, including students, faculty members, departments, staff and research institutes.

The two organizations will endeavour to cooperate in providing:

*Joint educational and research activities to create pathways for student learning,   including strategies to support the learning of aboriginal students;

§*Community engagement on initiatives/projects of mutual interest;

§*Engagement/exchange of other staff in educational projects.

Candice Morgan, Superintendent of Schools for School District No. 69, said the District is pleased to be working with Malaspina University-College on an innovative and collaborative approach to enhance educational opportunities and access to students in School District No. 69.

Malaspina has signed similar partnership agreements with school districts in the Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo and Powell River.

For further information, contact Toni O’Keeffe, Director Communications and Public Relations, Malaspina University-College, at (250) 740-6341.