Algoma U., Northern College solidify academic partnership

Representatives from Northern College and Algoma University announced the signing of a new transfer agreement to further support their long-standing partnership to improve diploma-to-degree pathways for students wishing to pursue careers in the area of social work.

Algoma University has offered select degree completion programming on the Timmins campus of Northern College since 2010.

The partnership was sparked by an identified need to increase the number of qualified social workers in the region. Thursday's signing applies to graduates of Northern’s two-year social service worker diploma program who wish to continue their studies to complete AU’s Honours bachelor of social work program. 

“Our long-standing partnership with Northern College continues to evolve as we collectively work to support increased access to post-secondary education in Northern Ontario,” said Asima Vezina, president and vice-chancellor of Algoma University. “It is truly exciting to see the continued development of these pathway agreements as I know how successful they have been  from speaking with our graduates who are securing professional careers in the field with major employers in Timmins and the surrounding region.”

“In addition to programming in the areas of social work and community development, in 2021, the partnership expanded to include a new dual-credential in computer science, further expanding access to university-level studies for students in Timmis and the surrounding region,” said Aaron Klooster, vice-president of academic and student success at Northern College. “The great news for students and for our communities is that all of these programs help to address current and future labour market and societal needs in our catchment region.”