By Lisa Schick
paNOW Staff
The University of Regina paid a visit to a branch of one of its federated colleges, Thursday.
Vianne Timmins, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina, travelled north to speak with faculty of Prince Albert’s First Nations University campus.
Timmins said the visit is about listening and connections.
“This trip is very much listening to the community needs. Also though, a message about that the First Nations University is on stable ground and we’re working in a new partnership with our federated college to ensure that there’s a new future as we go forward,” said Timmins.
Timmins said in her meetings in Prince Albert she was hearing a lot of discussions about expanding programming at the northern campus, and the First Nations University needing more visibility from the University of Regina.
“We’re hoping to work even closer with First Nations University on the offerings and around programs in health in particular in the North,” said Timmins.
She said they are also looking at developing more laddered programs with SIAST so students can start there and move on to degree programs at the university.
Some of the topics brought up during her visit, were the First Nations University’s involvement in the winding down of the NEPS nursing program, and also the direction of the federated college after its recent changes in leadership.
But Timmins wasn’t only in the city to talk to the First Nations University, she also met with community leaders in Prince Albert, she said the trip is also about listening to the community’s needs.
“It’s really important to be here for faculty and students but (it’s) just as important to speak to community members. We have a number of co-op students who work in businesses here – we have almost 900 students from Prince Albert that attend the University of Regina over the last few years so there’s a real connection that we need to continue to build on with the community,” said Timmins.
She said one of things they’re trying to do for their regional campuses is provide more programming so students can stay in the communities.
Timmins said the visit to Prince Albert is less about talking and more about listening, and she’ll take what she hears back to Regina with her when she leaves.
“I’m listening to it, and I’m taking it heart, when we go back I’m going to be meeting with my senior team to say what are we going to do, how can we build on this momentum that’s here and the real interest in Prince Albert,” said Timmins.
lschick@panow.com
