Conestoga College President John Tibbits and Christopher Madden, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) of Griffith University, today signed an agreement that will open the way for graduates of a number of two- and three-year Conestoga diploma programs to seek advanced-standing credit to pursue baccalaureate studies at the Australian school.
Those who gain admission to Griffith should be able to earn a degree with only one or two years of additional study.
The agreement is the first stage of ongoing discussions between the two institutions, which may expand to include opportunities such as master's degree studies for graduates of Conestoga degree and post-graduate programs, or co-op employment opportunities for students in Conestoga's proposed degree program in international business management.
Students who complete the eligible Conestoga programs must meet appropriate Griffith University application and admission requirements, and some students who successfully gain admission could begin at Griffith as early as the summer of 2006.
The initial agreement involves 21 Conestoga programs as varied as Business Administration - Marketing, Computer Programmer/Analyst, Civil Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, General Arts and Science, Police Foundations, Journalism - Print and Broadcast, and Social Services.
Each Conestoga program links to one or two appropriate Griffith programs, some of which are Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Communication and Bachelor of Human Services.
Founded in 1971, Griffith University has a strong commitment to international and multidisciplinary education. Its student population of more than 29,000 contains more than 5,000 international students, with the largest contingent from Canada. It has five campuses located in Brisbane and the surrounding area.