Yukon College forges new ties with Alberta post-secondary system

 Whitehorse – It’s just become a lot easier for students at Yukon College wishing to transfer to colleges and universities in Alberta.

The College has just been accepted into the Alberta Transfer System of the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer.

“This is a huge development in the life of the College,” says YC president Karen Barnes. “Admission into the ACAT system is a real feather in our cap.

“Students can come to Yukon College secure in the knowledge that many of the courses they take will be recognized by Alberta institutions.”

ACAT is essentially a system for educational institutions to work co-operatively for the benefit of students. It helps colleges and universities recognize courses taken by students when they want to transfer from one institution to another. Educational institutions develop agreements on transferring and admitting students, and determine what program courses or credits are accepted.

“The addition of Yukon College to the Alberta Transfer System exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that exist in both Alberta and the Yukon,” says Ron Woodward, ACAT’s board chair. “More importantly, this relationship signifies a commitment to supporting learners in pursuit of their dreams and goals wherever their educational path may take them.”

Gaining acceptance is just the first step of a huge effort. In the following months, the College’s registrar will work with ACAT officials to fully integrate College programs into the provincial system. While it makes things far easier, students still have to work with the College staff to determine individual program transferability, notes College Registrar John Skilnyk.

“But it really formalizes and eases the process,” he says. “It means our individual courses or whole programs will be much better recognized in the future. It’s a really great system.”

A recent survey found one in four students attending Yukon College intend to graduate from a southern institution. However, it’s not known just how many move on to Alberta annually to complete their education.

Yukon College has also been a member of the BC Council on Admissions and Transfers since 1993.