News Archives: GPRC & MRU Collaborate to Increase Educational Opportunities in Northern Alberta
Thursday, May 24th, 2012
A memorandum of understanding signed today by the Presidents of two Alberta post-secondary institutions is designed to increase educational opportunities for students in northern Alberta. David Docherty, President of Mount Royal University (MRU), and Don Gnatiuk, President and CEO of Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) have both endorsed their written intent to explore areas of possible collaboration. Among the several possibilities identified in the MOU are expanded opportunities for block transfer of GPRC diploma graduates to MRU degree programs in business and environmental science, and transfer credit for university studies in English, History and Psychology. "GPRC is very pleased to be entering into these conversations on behalf of learners in our region," says Gnatiuk. "We believe strongly in the great power of collaboration, and our students are successfully achieving their educational goals through these opportunities with our partner institutions. MRU has a great deal to offer our learners, and GPRC is enthusiastically exploring the possibilities with MRU." The MOU will enhance a working relationship that will increase educational opportunities for students in northern Alberta. The institutions will cooperate, as appropriate, in selected areas of educational programming, and other areas, which may be of mutual interest or benefit. One stated goal is to develop partnerships to deliver MRU degree programs on GPRC campus when both institutions are prepared to do so. "Mount Royal is pleased to partner with GPRC to provide more university course options for students in northern Alberta," says MRU President David Docherty. "We're looking forward to working together to achieve goals that will be mutually beneficial to each institution." It is planned that representatives of GPRC and MRU will meet on a regular basis to plan and review activities, to coordinate their efforts and to advance the intents of this agreement. The official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place at GPRC, with representatives of each institution present including MRU Associate Vice-President Academic, Randy Genereux, and GPRC Vice-President Academics and Research, Susan Bansgrove.