LETHBRIDGE- The University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Friday to continue the growth of agriculture-related programming at both post-secondary institutes.
The new initiative wouldn’t have been possible without Cor Van Raay, a local agriculture pioneer who made a donation of $5 million earlier this year to agriculture programs. The Alberta government has now announced that amount will be matched.
“The government of Alberta is pleased to support this partnership and has invested $5 million towards this new program. Today’s announcement shows that working together we can accomplish great things to benefit students and our region,” said MLA Lethbridge-East Maria Fitzpatrick.
The president of University of Lethbridge, Dr. Mike Mahon, said he was “eager to further the relationship with Lethbridge College” and enhance agriculture and agribusiness programming.
Lethbridge College president Dr. Paula Burns said the college has had a strong agriculture program for over 50 years and this agreement will make it even better.
The Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Program, initially announced in June 2014, is a key aspect of the MOU, encouraging seamless transfer of credits between the college and the university, and building upon the elements of a traditional 2+2 education model. The model means students can do two years at the college and earn a diploma, then continue their education at the university for an additional two years and finish with a degree.
Comments