On October 18, 2018, Nunavut Arctic College is pleased to announce that it has completed a comprehensive, competitive process to select a university partner. This process was led by a selection committee, comprised of representatives from the Department of Education, Nunavut Arctic College and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. In total, 11 universities engaged in the selection process from across Canada. The process ended with a unanimous recommendation and selection of Memorial University to partner with the College.
“Memorial University is the clear choice as our partner due to its history of engagement with communities, its commitment to learner excellence, and its international reputation for research. We look forward to continuing to build capacity as an institution,” said Minister David Joanasie, Minister Responsible for Nunavut Arctic College. “Throughout this process, the need to deliver the highest quality programs and services for Nunavummiut reflecting Inuit culture, values and language was on the forefront of the selection committee’s minds.”
The next phase in the process is to develop a 10-Year Partnership Agreement, which will outline the relationship between the institutions.
“The last year has been transformative for Nunavut Arctic College. We have launched a new website; established a curriculum framework which embedded Inuktut Language and Culture, Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or ‘ICE-STEM’ within the College; undertaken a review of community learning centres, and began the design of a new campus in Cambridge Bay, to name a few new major initiatives,” said Sheila Kolola, President of Nunavut Arctic College. “Nunavut is one of the largest post-secondary service regions in the world and a major centre for research. Partnering with Memorial University will only benefit our learners now and in the future.”
Moving forward, the College will work with Memorial University to expand institutional operational capacity, revitalize existing programs, as well as build new programs and services to support learners across Nunavut.
“Memorial University is delighted to be selected to partner with Nunavut Arctic College to help further develop post-secondary education in Nunavut,” said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, President and Vice-Chancellor of Memorial University. “Memorial began as a college in 1925, raised by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to meet their aspirations for higher education. Since then we have been building strong programs in teaching and learning, research and public engagement, with special interest and experience in the North, including Labrador and Nunavut. We look forward to collaborating with the College and the Government of Nunavut to help achieve their post-secondary education aspirations.”