Merging UNB-SJ and NBCC-SJ - Good or Bad?
This Friday, the education report that everyone has been talking about was released. The report recommends merging universities and colleges in parts of the province to create polytechnic institutions. One such merger would be between UNB-SJ and NBCC-SJ right here in Saint John.
Like most people, the first thing I thought was, “what the hell is a polytechnic institution?” Well, not really, most people are saying this is the end of the world. There are newspaper articles, letters to the editor, and facebook groups popping up left and right. However, the one thing I don’t hear anyone actually talking about is what the good ideas are in the report.
Personally, I’m not sure whether a merger would be a good thing or not. But, what I do know is that both UNB-SJ and NBCC-SJ are solid institutions on their own, and they offer students a broad range of education options. I really think the more reasonable approach would be to include more integration between the two campuses. There should be more programs at each campus that offer credits at the other one. Earning your BA degree at UNB-SJ should count towards credits when starting a program at NBCC-SJ, and vice-versa. We will be further ahead, as a province, when we work together at the local level to make sure that students can get a good education at home! We can have the best institutions in the world, but, if the students in this region can’t take the courses they want, they will leave.
I still look forward to hearing more about the proposed plan; however, no matter how good of an idea it may be - at the end of the day, the public is not behind it, and no government wanting seats in this region will push that agenda!
Posted in News, Saint John |
September 15th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Assuming everyone who offers an opinion on the report has actually read the report, I would expect most to be quite excited and optimistic about what it contains for Saint John. There are many who don’t feel this way (although my experience is that “most” is not the case) so I must assume they could not have read the same report I did.
I read the report last night and I was pleased with what I read. Here is what I understand from reading the report:
1. They are not removing the liberal arts from the new polytechnic. Period.
2. MIT, CIT and Ryerson are polytechnics. Good company to be in.
3. The innovation-based research and development coming out of polytechnics far surpasses that of typical North American universities. That’s the R&D that matters most to me in the 21st century (economic development statistics show a direct relationship between the success of a particular economy and the amount it invests in R&D) and Saint John will be in a better position to solicit R&D funds with a polytechnic.
If by 2020 all education will be primarily web-based with face-to-face education taking a supportive/facilitative role (vitally important but not the primary mode of knowledge transfer), then this new system gives New Brunswickers far greater options and flexibility in obtaining their education and will enable our institutions to focus more resources on R&D and a polytechnic is positioned better for this than a traditional liberal arts university.
I do not expect everyone to come to the same conclusions I have after reading this report. I am excited to see a creative approach to meet our educational needs and that is what I see in this report.
When you gather the opinions you have requested, be sure to post your own view!
Jeff
September 15th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Thanks for the comments Jeff!
I am looking forward to reading more on the report before taking any sides. I think at the end of the day what is important is that we have the option to receive a solid education right here in the city!