Laurentian, Cambrian, College Boreal work more closely together

Morning North4:20New collaboration between Sudbury's University and colleges

Laurentian University, Cambrian College, and College Boreal signed an agreement they call "enhanced collaboration." Among other things, the new collaboration will make it easier for students to take classes at the different schools and transfer credits.

Sudbury's post-secondary institutions are committing to a greater level of collaboration that comes with benefits for students.

On Monday the presidents of Laurentian University, Cambrian College and College Boreal signed an agreement.

A major goal of the dealis to make it easier for students to take classes at the different schools and transfer those credits, according to Cambrian College president Bill Best.

"I think the key is to make sure that individuals know what the possible paths are to get where they want to go. And make sure that we as three institutions are not creating barriers to that understanding," Best said.

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The schools are also looking to change some diplomaand degree programs so that students have the option of taking classes at more than one institution.

Best said the agreement will also encourage all three schools to share resources and make purchases together to save money, for exampleby sharing on the costs of printing paper.

Pierre Riopel, president of College Boreal, said he hopes the agreement will encourage more students to continue their studies in Sudbury.

"We do have many students who have attended Laurentian for instance, obtained their degree, want to pursue their studies, [who] will sign up to Cambrian and will sign up to [College] Boreal," he said.

The presidents would not say which specific programs may be changed, but Best said school officials will now begin meeting to decide.