NIC and Vancouver Island University sign Bilateral Agreement

North Island College


and Vancouver Island University signed a partnership agreement today that will


see both institutions working together to better serve the residents of the


north Vancouver Island region.  The


Bilateral Agreement will enhance the capacity of both institutions through


increased collaborative programming, seamless transfer arrangements, and


greater opportunity for collaborative research initiatives and faculty


professional development.

According to NIC’s


President, Dr. Jan Lindsay, one of the immediate outcomes of the Agreement is


the establishment of a dual admission process to facilitate the success of


students from the North Island College region who wish to complete their


studies at VIU.  

Dual


admission will be first introduced with VIU’s Bachelor of Arts degree and will


allow students to move freely and easily between both institutions to complete


their degree requirements. The Registrar’s Offices at both NIC and VIU will


automatically track student progress, students will have access to support


services at both institutions, and BC student loan funding will be based on the


combined credits at both institutions.

“A large


percentage of North Island College students do complete their studies with


Vancouver Island University. We are working together to make it as easy as


possible for our students to earn a VIU degree while enjoying the unique benefits


of a smaller college environment,” explained Lindsay. 

Dr. Ralph


Nilson, VIU’s President, said he is very excited about the programming and


partnership opportunities that will result from this agreement.  “We have an exceptional relationship with NIC


and already have several joint delivery programs in place including; the


Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, and


guaranteed transfer to VIU’s Bachelor of Education degree. Both VIU and NIC are


committed to ensuring the communities of the mid and North Island have access


to relevant and responsive training. 


Cooperating in this way supports this goal and supports the communities


in the North Island in accessing upper level post-secondary education closer to


home.”