February 24, 2020

A new partnership between Medicine Hat College (MHC) and Northern Lakes College (NLC) will expand access to education and opportunities for learners across the province.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by both institutions last week to signify their commitment to increasing regional access and delivering programming by Fall 2020. Furthermore, this collaborative effort supports the provincial government’s desire for change within the post-secondary system.

“Northern Lakes College and Medicine Hat College are setting an excellent example for Alberta’s post-secondary system. The goals of this new agreement are strongly aligned with the Government of Alberta’s own objectives. I fully support all efforts to foster collaboration and reduce duplication, to improve student services and cut red tape, and to ensure programming meets the needs of the communities and regional economies served by both colleges,” remarks Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education.

Working within NLC’s proven Supported Distance Learning (SDL) model, MHC looks to increase accessibility and offer flexible learning opportunities to students in southeast Alberta by supporting in the delivery of NLC programs. As the strategy progresses, the partnership will be reciprocated in that MHC programs will be offered via distance to students in NLC’s service region.

“Northern Lakes College is pleased to collaborate with Medicine Hat College. Our colleges have similar community stewardship mandates, and we are eager to share our expertise to increase the breadth of programming available to our respective service regions,” comments Ann Everatt, President and CEO of NLC.

MHC Brooks Campus will serve as the first physical hub and support centre for students in the region, with expansion into other rural communities based on demand and available resources.

“This partnership is a game changer for MHC. It allows us to expand program offerings and provide access to anyone who wants to learn, regardless of their location. Regional access was identified through our recent strategic planning process as one of our top priorities and we look forward to the opportunities this partnership provides our students and our institution,” says Kevin Shufflebotham, President and CEO of MHC.

As the implementation of processes is in the early stages, additional information as to where students can go to apply and get further information will be released in the near future.