University College of the North

On March 11, 2004 an agreement was signed to establish University College of the North as a partner with NHCN to deliver UCN Programs. The Regional Centre receives Grant Funding from the Council on Post Secondary Education on a yearly basis in the amount of $189,400 to support the Regional Centre. The Regional Centre Concept allows for the partners to expand educational opportunities to meet the broader needs of the community utilizing the delivery methods of UCN: contract training, community-based training and part-time studies. Additional programs may be identified via needs assessment surveys, student surveys and community demand. Programs at the Regional Centre are instructed by qualified instructional personnel, assisted by computer software technology and distance education technology and supported by counseling and support services.

The objectives of the Regional Centre are:

• To provide post-secondary programming that meets the academic upgrading needs of unemployed and underemployed individuals to assist in competing for employment opportunities.
• To provide post-secondary programming that meets the needs of individuals seeking career opportunities that result from college or university training.
• To provide post-secondary programming as identified to meet the personal and professional needs and schedules of residents of the community.
• To provide a user-friendly adult learning environment that maximizes the viability of the Regional Centre on a long-term basis. The Regional Centre will be learner-centered, supportive and structured to provide long hours of operation.
• To provide opportunities to residents of NHCN and area to obtain post-secondary training via contract training, core-funded tuition based training or part-time studies initiatives.

The UCN Regional Centre staff consists of the Regional Centre Coordinator and Regional Centre Instructors. The Regional Centre Manager reports to the Vice-President of Community-Based Services. The Regional Centre Manager is responsible for the establishment, implementation and monitoring of administrative processes within the assigned jurisdiction of the Norway House Regional Centre.

In collaboration with University College of the North, the UCN Regional Center Board of Directors was established. The UCN Regional Center Board of Directors plan and direct the delivery of UCN programs for the NHCN Education Center in Norway House. NHCN/UCN Board of Directors consist of the following individuals:

• Conrad Jonnasson; UCN
• Peter Geller; UCN
• Flora Simpson; NHCN
• Irvin Swanson; UCN
• Councillor Dennis Day; NHCN
• Agnes Mowatt, NHCN

The chart below shows the financial information on allocation of funds for the UCN Regional Centre:

University of Manitoba

Bachelor of Nursing (BN) was established in Norway House in 1996 through a collaborative approach with MKO, UM Faculty of Nursing, IUN, UCN, and Medical Services Branch (MSB), Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses (MARN) and the provincial government. University of Manitoba (UM) sought to establish a program that would facilitate students in communities to have the opportunity to become Registered Nurses. Norway House was selected as the site to host the community based Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP). This community based approach to nursing education was designed to prepare nurses to work in rural, northern and isolated locations. In 1996, 22 students were admitted to the program. There were intakes into the program every second year since 1996. The students’ complete courses in Norway House for the first two years then transfer to another partner site to obtain the necessary acute care skills and experience at a larger hospital center. There are two full-time employees who are employed through University of Manitoba Faculty of Nursing. Lorraine Robertson works as the Office Assistant and Grant Queskekapow is the Student Advisor/Counsellor.

Inter-Universities Services

Inter-Universities Services is a consortium of the four Manitoba universities – Brandon University, University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg and University College of the North.

IUS receives core funding of Council on Post Secondary Education (COPSE) which is the provincial agency that works with Manitoba’s Universities and Colleges to ensure better coordination, communication and planning in the post-secondary education system.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Plan, coordinate and implement the program;
• Deliver university degree courses;
• Provide the following services:
• Processing student admissions and registration
• Advocating on behalf of students with the universities
• Maintaining students’ academic records
• Orientation of instructors to the community in cooperation with the education authority
• Liaison with the universities concerning selection of instructors, course design and delivery planning