The University of Manitoba continues to build on a long and successful tradition of collaborating with other post-secondary institutions in the province with the signing today of a new Partnership Protocol Agreement (PPA) with Red River College.
This PPA aims to provide unique and meaningful opportunities for students and enhance collaboration in research and development. The partnership will also enhance the ability of the two institutions to provide the province with the highly skilled workforce it needs to continue to innovate and succeed.
The PPA signed today by University of Manitoba president and vice-chancellor David Barnard and Red River College president and CEO Stephanie Forsyth is aimed at strengthening existing collaboration between the University of Manitoba and Red River College. The PPA reinforces a commitment to collaborative planning of programs and services, facilitating joint academic programming, pursuing bridge programming initiatives, enhancing student mobility and fostering collaborative research efforts. This will include looking for additional opportunities for the articulation of courses and programs so that students can transfer smoothly between the two institutions. The agreement also outlines a commitment on behalf of both institutions to furthering Aboriginal student access and achievement in post-secondary education.
Barnard believes the new agreement will help Red River College and the University of Manitoba continue to lead the way in advancing economic, social and cultural development in Manitoba.
David Barnard
“Between our two institutions, we address a wide range of post-secondary education, research and training needs in Manitoba and we see opportunities to build on our existing leadership in advancing Manitoba’s innovation agenda,” he explains. “This agreement reinforces what we are already doing and outlines specific ways in which we might enhance those efforts and build on them.”
The University of Manitoba has a number of collaborative and partnership agreements in place with Red River College, the University of Winnipeg, the College Universitaire de Saint-Boniface and the University of the North. These joint programs and articulation agreements span a number of areas including business administration, American Sign Language, engineering, nursing and social work among others.
Barnard says he hopes to continue to work with his counterparts at Manitoba’s other post-secondary institutions to build upon existing programs and develop new and innovative ways to meet the needs of students and of the workforce.
“These agreements really are win-win,” he says. “We are able to combine our resources, capitalize on our strengths, pursue innovative research and provide the educated, skilled and trained workforce our province needs.”
Forsyth echoes Barnard’s sentiments and views the new partnership as a step towards even more collaboration to the benefit of students and the community.
Stephanie Forsyth
“Our institutions already have a great working relationship, but this agreement positions us to develop even more comprehensive learning opportunities for students, and enhanced research and training initiatives for our industry partners,” she says.
For more information, contact:
Leah Janzen, manager, communications, University of Manitoba, at: 204-474-8034 or
Colin Fast, manager, communications, Red River College, at: 204-632-2581
