Fairview College, the northwestern Alberta college established more than 50 years ago as an agriculture college, will be merged with Edmonton’s Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
The college has struggled to attract students in some of its traditional programs in the past. This year the agriculture program was put on hold because of poor enrolment.
The merger is expected to increase the number and diversity of programs offered to post-secondary students in northwestern Alberta.
“It has emerged as virtually the only realistic option available to Fairview College, ensuring we meet our commitment of growing enrolments through the expansion of programming opportunities for northern Albertans,” said Paul Hunt, Fairview College’s vice-president, academic.
Hunt said the money saved in administration would be used to hire more faculty members.
NAIT trains about 59,000 full, part-time and continuing education students, employs 2,400 staff and has a $170 million annual budget.
Fairview College trains more than 5,000 full, part-time and continuing education students, employs 300 staff and has a $20 million budget.
