North Island College prioritizes educational plan

Geographic access, educational access, affordability and access to learning are a few of the priorities that will affect Port Alberni.

North Island College is looking at input for their  Strategic Plan 2020.

North Island College is looking at input for their Strategic Plan 2020.

Progress, priorities and challenges for the North Island College Strategic Plan 2020 are being further introduced in communities to encourage input and awareness about where the college is going.

“We’re really excited because it is a comprehensive and ambitious plan. There are nine priorities and more than 40 goals,” NIC president John Bowman told School District 70 officials on Tuesday.

Not everything in the plan is brand new, Bowman said, because the needs in this region and around the North Island haven’t changed a great deal in the last five years.

Geographic access, educational access, affordability and access to learning are a few of the priorities on the strategic plan that Bowman says are particularly important.

“Our institution is committed to offering low tuition rates and doing everything that we can to support students financially,” Bowman said.

After a major review of programs at NIC, Bowman said another important priority is aboriginal education and the indigenization of programming.

“We’re working with our community partners to indigenize programming and health and human services… and we’re providing specific programs to better meet the needs of aboriginal learners,” Bowman said.

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