UAlberta & Yukon College celebrate awarding first Bachelor of Science degree North of 60

WHITEHORSE – Natasha Ayoub became the first person awarded a Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences (ENCS) north of 60 in Canada on Saturday.

The B.Sc. Northern ENCS program is a partnership with University of Alberta. It has been very popular, with over 30 students taking courses over the past three years, many of whom are working full time and using the credits to complete a program or qualify for a Masters program elsewhere.

“This is an excellent program,” said Ayoub. “The small class sizes enable instructors to tailor courses to student interests and needs. The overall focus on northern content, First Nations content and Yukon legislation like the Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Act (YESAA) is vital for professionals working or intending to work in the territory.”

“And being able to study for my Bachelor of Science in Yukon has been fantastic. It has allowed me to build a house here, where I plan to work, instead of paying to live most of the year in Edmonton,” she added.

She said the program also provided connections with local companies that helped her obtain her current position as Environmental Scientist with Access Consulting. Ayoub graduated “with distinction” and is enrolled in a Master of Science program at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.

Dr. John Kennelly, Dean of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences at University of Alberta, was on hand at the Yukon College graduation ceremony to present Ayoub with her credentials.

“This has been a wonderful partnership and it is just the beginning. Our goal was to help Yukon College build capacity through partnering to deliver this science program and we look forward to continuing our work building this program with the College, as well as expand into joint research and new subject areas such as food security,” said Dr. Kennelly.

Next year the program will offer a new major in Northern Systems which will be unique to the Yukon College delivered degree. Program director and instructor, Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow, said the program is attracting interest from students across the country, including students at the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton wishing to transfer to Whitehorse.  Dr. Schmiegelow is the first University of Alberta Professor to be appointed outside of Alberta.