The two schools have signed a transfer agreement allowing Lakeland students to enroll in ag with full academic credits
Alberta’s Lakeland College has signed a student transfer agreement with the University of Alberta that will allow diploma graduates from Lakeland to transfer to the U of A’s bachelor of science in agriculture degree program.
Lakeland officials announced last month that graduates from the college’s two-year diploma program in animal science technology (AST) will be able to continue their studies in the U of A’s BSc degree program with full academic credit.
Beginning this fall, graduates from any area of study within the AST diploma program, including beef, dairy, equine or general livestock, will be able to apply two years of study at Lakeland (60 credits) to the U of A ag degree program.
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“Creating new pathway partnerships with our post-secondary partners is one of Lakeland’s priorities,” said Geoff Brown, dean of Lakeland’s school of agricultural sciences.
“We’re excited that graduates from our animal science technology program have this new transfer pathway to earn a degree from the University of Alberta and we look forward to collaborating with the university to create additional transfer opportunities.”
Lakeland officials also announced that the college is on track to complete construction this fall of a project aimed at refurbishing and expanding the WHT Mead Building on the college’s Vermilion, Alta., campus.
The Mead Building serves as the academic hub for almost all of Lakeland’s agricultural science students.
In 2020, the province of Alberta committed $17.3 million to the expansion and renewal project, which is needed to facilitate the college’s rapidly expanding enrolment.
Over the past 12 years, enrolment in the college’s ag science programs has grown by more than 200 percent.
More than 550 students are currently enrolled in Lakeland’s ag programs.
Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and chief executive officer of Lakeland College, said the expansion will accommodate new program offerings and allow the college to provide new educational opportunities.
“Lakeland is at the forefront of agricultural education in Alberta and (is) deeply rooted in the commercial agriculture industry,” Wainwright-Stewart said.
A modernized and expanded Mead Building “ensures we can accommodate our new programming and increase student access as we prepare the next generation of agriculture leaders,” she said.
Lakeland has already announced several program enhancements this year, including the introduction of Canada’s first-ever bachelor of agriculture technology degree program.
The college’s agribusiness program has also been expanded to include five areas of specialization, including agri-food and tourism, finance, marketing, production and sustainability.
The refurbished Mead Building will feature classrooms, collaborative workspace, faculty offices and space for industry events.
It will also serve as the headquarters for Lakeland’s Student-Managed Farm, providing planning space for animal science and crop technology students who manage the college’s crop, livestock and research units.
The Mead Building was originally constructed in 1964.
