As the fall opening of the new Squamish university campus comes into focus, officials with the Sea to Sky School District and Capilano University have formalized their plan to work closely on shared interests and goals.
It was announced on Jan. 24, in a joint news release, that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the two education organizations.
The MOU, a document that lays out shared intentions, will help establish "pathways for high school graduates and other learners to access post-secondary education," in the Sea to Sky Corridor, the release states.
"This MOU underscores the school district's commitment to collaborating with community partners. We look forward to working together to enhance educational opportunities for students right here in Sea to Sky country,” said Chris Nicholson, superintendent of the Sea to Sky School District, in the release.
Asked for specifics of what the MOU covers in practical terms, Laureen Styles, vice president, academic and provost at CapU, said in an email to The Squamish Chief that preliminary discussions between the University and the school district have included "ways to creatively support education and credential completion for education assistants" and "collaboration with promoting a career path for high school students into early childhood education—diploma and degree—as a response to local labour market shortages."
The agreement also means the two institutions will collaborate on possible Indigenous education and reconciliation actions, equity and inclusion initiatives, and professional development and research activities, according to the release.
"Additionally, CapU is in active conversations with Indigenous communities to discuss programming options specific for Indigenous learners."
The University is also collaborating with the District of Squamish and the Whistler Institute.
