Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides (Photo courtesy of the Government of Alberta)

By Shaun Penner

Grande Prairie Regional College

Closer look needed into GPRC transition to university status: Advanced Ed. Minister

Jan 20, 2021 | 12:38 PM

A review commissioned by the provincial government has brought the transition of Grande Prairie Regional College to university status into question.

This comes after Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides revealed in an interview with CBC last week that both GPRC and Red Deer College may not transition to university status after all, despite such announcements being made at both institutions in 2018.

In conversation with EverythingGP, Nicolaides says that transition is not off the table though. But as part of the third-party review commissioned by his ministry, they are in the process of re-thinking how post-secondary education is offered in Alberta, a plan which has been dubbed Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs.

“Our post-secondary system doesn’t have a broad strategic plan, and we believe it’s important, especially during these difficult times, to ensure that we are all moving in the same direction and achieving better outcomes for our learners, our taxpayers and for all Albertans.”

It was nearly three years ago, in February of 2018, when the man who preceded Nicolaides as Minister of Advanced Education, Marlin Schmidt, was in Grande Prairie to announce his NDP government would allow GPRC to become degree granting and could transition to become a university.

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Nicolaides says though the transition to university status is still something he and his ministry are looking at closely.

“We just believed it prudent, that in the development of a 10-year strategic plan, we take our time to be really thoughtful about what that might look like for Grande Prairie.”

Nicolaides points to a couple of issues with the former NDP government’s decision to allow the college to begin its transition to a university.

“Should an institution like Grande Prairie (Regional College) become a university, that would mean that the government would need to change (the schools) mandate. It could mean their programs could subsequently change.”

“For example, I think about trades programming that is essential to the development of the regional economy. A university does not deliver apprenticeship and trades education. So, there could be an impact on apprenticeship and trades education… and other programs, if there was to be a transition to a university.”

One of the main focusses of the Alberta 2030 plan, Nicolaides notes, is about matching the education and skills development with the needs of each local economy. He says the focus, above all, is to ensure each institution is offering the programs that are needed for the local workforce.

“I would hate for an individual who is pursuing a welding program to not be able to take it in the Grande Prairie region,” added the minister. “We would have to make sure that we balance these important access and regional workforce development needs.”

“We have to look at the broad spectrum here. Making sure that we are getting folks in the community the access to the programs that are needed.”

The Minister also stressed being degree granting and a university are not the same thing. He notes a school, such as GPRC, does not need university status to offer degrees. Using both SAIT and NAIT as examples, Nicolaides says GPRC can apply to his ministry to offer their own degree programs.

However, the Alberta 2030 plan also looks to increase the level of collaboration between institutions. Nicolaides suggests partnership, much like GPRC has developed with Athabasca University, are possible better steps to take.

“If, for example, Grande Prairie decides to offer a Bachelor of Education, they are creating a program largely from scratch and they are creating their version of a program there,” said Nicolaides. “So, I would like to see an environment where we can strengthen the collaboration between our institutions, and most importantly get access to degrees and programs that our communities need.”

“We have so many incredible institutions that have strength in terms of programming, a large number of degrees and I think we can find ways for those institutions to collaborate more effectively, and make sure those degrees are available on local campuses.”

Though he was not available for an interview, GPRC President and CEO Dr. Robert Murray says in an emailed statement that above all else, the school remains focused on student-centrism, notably through its 5GPRC strategy.

“One of the key elements of 5GPRC is continuing our work on becoming a degree granting institution, and we have continued work on our degree proposals throughout the sector review.”

“GPRC remains committed to meeting the educational needs of northern Alberta as we work collaboratively with the Ministry of Advanced Education, our fellow post-secondary institutions, and our stakeholders through the Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs process,” adds Dr. Murray. “We look forward to seeing how the results of the Alberta 2030 sector review align with our 5GPRC plan and our commitment to providing top-tier educational opportunities that meet the economic needs of our province.”

Nicolaides, in closing, says his ministry is still seeking public input on the Alberta 2030 plan. Anyone who wishes to share their thoughts can contact the ministry directly.