Lakeland College has signed a transfer agreement with the University of Alberta creating a pathway for their animal science technology (AST) students.
The agreement will allow block transfers between graduates of their AST diploma program to the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program at the U of A’s Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.
The letter of agreement was signed Friday and allows Lakeland College students to continue their agricultural sciences education with the University of Alberta and grow their future careers.
Geoff Brown, dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences at Lakeland shares the excitement of the transfer agreement.
“Creating new pathway partnerships with our post-secondary partners is one of Lakeland’s priorities. It offers new opportunities for our graduates to invest in a sustainable future for themselves, our province and the agricultural industry overall.”
Starting this fall, graduates of any one of the AST diploma majors – including beef, dairy, equine and general livestock at Lakeland’s Vermilion campus will be able to transfer their two years of study (60 credits) to the BSc in Agriculture program at the U of A in Edmonton.
The University of Alberta’s BSc in agriculture is an interactive program that prepares students for a range of career options in agriculture. Students can expect to tackle the biology of plants and animals with a focus on biotechnology in society and explore environmentally sustainable approaches to the production of food, clothing, fuel and other consumer products. Students will apply the skills they have learned through real-world projects and case studies with industry partners, states the Lakeland College release.
Students will be able to graduate with both a diploma and degree after four years of study through the post secondary partnership.
Stan Blade, dean of the Faculty of ALES says they are looking forward to welcoming students from Lakeland College to pursue further studies at the U of A.
“This is a very important agreement which is an indicator of the close working relationship between Lakeland College and the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.”
The U of A Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences provides solutions to global challenges in the areas of agriculture, nutrition, the environment and human ecology, notes the Lakeland College release.