John Tibbits, President of Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, and Peter Krause, Chair of the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), have signed a letter of understanding that will open the way for co-operation between the organizations on matters of mutual educational interest. The letter of understanding is in effect for a five-year period.
This agreement recognizes that Conestoga and the GRCA have common interests in improving research and education involving the planning and management of watershed resources, and that both are supportive of the Grand Strategy, which is dedicated to strengthening the Grand River watershed as a heritage river.
Conestoga and the GRCA will partner to promote research and education that improves watershed health; increases heritage awareness and conservation; improves human/environmental relationships within the watershed; assists in the planning, design, management and operations of GRCA lands and other areas within the watershed as agreed to by Grand Strategy partners; and provides meaningful and challenging projects, data and opportunities for researchers and students.
An important goal is to encourage participation by Conestoga in the training of GRCA personnel and by the GRCA in the education of Conestoga students.
Initially, the prime Conestoga beneficiaries will be students in the Environmental Engineering Applications program, although the hope is that the scope of the agreement will expand to include other Conestoga technology programs.
Environmental Engineering Applications is a one-year, post-graduate program open to students who already hold a relevant college diploma or university degree. The program focuses on the development of specialized skills associated with water and air quality management, environmental enforcement and regulations, and environment-related auditing, assessment, monitoring and investigations. The program also has a co-operative education component, and the Conestoga-GRCA agreement may well provide opportunities for student co-op terms with the GRCA.
CONTACT: Jal Wadia (Conestoga College), 519-748-5220, ext. 2240 or Paul Emerson (GRCA), 519-621-2761