University signs memorandum of agreement with Alberta government to become ninth school in province to offer program
Mount Royal University’s new bachelor of education — elementary program was given the go-ahead by the province Jan. 23, with the signing of a memorandum that will allow graduates of the program to become fully-certified teachers.
Until this year, MRU could only offer a university transfer program for those interested in a bachelor of education, and did not have a complete program of its own.
It is now the ninth school in the province to offer a full program and will have a intake of 95 students beginning in the fall.
Alberta Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk said that the government has confidence in MRU graduates to have successful careers and make meaningful contributions to the education of young Albertans.Jennifer Diakiw, of the Mount Royal University board of governors, left, Robin Fisher, Mount Royal’s provost and vice-president academic, centre, and Alberta Education minister Thomas Lukaszuk signed in a memorandum on Jan. 23 allowing graduates of MRU’s bachelor of education — elementary program to be fully-certified teachers.
Photo by: Geoffrey Picketts
Co-signing the memorandum with Lukaszuk was Robin Fisher, Mount Royal University provost and vice-president academic. The signing was witnessed by a crowd of faculty and students, as well as the Minister of Energy Ted Morton and Minister for Service Alberta Manmeet Bhullar.
All three ministers in attendance are seeking re-election in 2012.
“It’s not often we have this much ministerial firepower on hand,” Fisher said.
He stated the importance of this memorandum for students enrolled in the program and the faculty teaching them.
“This memorandum is also important to parents with children in schools across the province because it helps to ensure that Alberta children have well-prepared teachers,” he said.
“Children are the future and education ensures that.”
gpicketts@cjournal.ca