Conestoga College and the Brantford campus of Wilfrid Laurier University expanded their partnership this week by signing an agreement that provides transferability between two academic programs -- Conestoga’s graduate certificate program in Human Resources Management and Laurier Brantford’s honours baccalaureate program in Organizational Leadership.
It is a two-way agreement. Students in the Organizational Leadership program can simultaneously pursue the Conestoga certificate, contingent upon satisfactory academic achievement. Likewise, graduates of the Human Resources Management program who have attained an appropriate level of academic achievement will be able to seek advanced standing towards the honours BA degree.
Signing the agreement were the two academic vice-presidents -- David Burns of Conestoga and Susan Horton of Wilfrid Laurier -- plus the respective deans -- Bruce Arai of the Brantford campus and Frank Mensink of Conestoga’s School of Business and Hospitality.
Dr. Horton commented, "I’m very pleased. Laurier and Conestoga are establishing reputations for innovation. Our agreement should give students a definite advantage with prospective employers.”
Dr. Burns observed, "The need to establish links with the universities around us -- Laurier, Waterloo, Guelph and McMaster -- is a very important step for Conestoga, opening opportunities for our students.”
Human Resources Management is one of Conestoga’s post-graduate programs, requiring previous completion of a college diploma or university degree. Offered in both co-op and non co-op modes, the program emphasizes key skills in the human resources field, such as labour relations, recruitment and selection, training and development, employment law, benefit plans, performance management and change management. Those who complete this certificate program meet all the academic requirements to pursue the CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional) designation granted through the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario.
Organizational Leadership is a unique program. It takes an interdisciplinary approach, with an emphasis on analytical and communication skills combined with an investigation and understanding of historical and contemporary resources that can be used to understand leadership and translate understanding into action. Examined extensively are areas such as research, strategy, organizational dynamics and ethics.
Conestoga and Laurier Brantford signed their initial agreement in February 2005, whereby graduates of two Conestoga diploma programs -- Journalism, and General Arts and Science -- can apply for advanced standing towards a Laurier BA in Contemporary Studies.
CONTACT: Bruce Arai (Laurier Brantford) at 519-756-8228, ext. 5722, or Frank Mensink (Conestoga College) at 519-748-5220, ext. 3245