Niagara College and Niagara University enter partnership

Niagara College and Niagara University in Lewiston, NY, have entered into a formal memorandum of understanding that represents an international partnership aimed at providing higher education on a bi-national scale.
 
The deal was signed by the Rev. James J. Maher, CM, president of Niagara University, and Dan Patterson, president of Niagara College last week.

The signing took place in Bisgrove Hall on the Niagara University campus.
 
“Education is a key component of our bi-national region and together with Niagara University, we’re identifying opportunities to strengthen the economy and culture of our shared community,” said Patterson. “This partnership creates new learning opportunities for students, leverages the expertise of faculty on both sides of the border, and capitalizes on our research and innovation activities – all in support of continued growth and prosperity in our bi-national area.”  
 
The MOU expands the existing partnership between the two institutions to include a broader range of academic disciplines, encourage binational research and promote collaborative programming.

The institutions currently have articulation agreements in place that pertain to specific areas of study.
 
The agreement also calls for increased student pathways to degree completions and graduate credentials, the development of scholarship opportunities, advocacy for cross-border access and the investigation of simultaneous admission.

The institutions also agreed to foster faculty collaboration through professional development, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and joint research and innovation activities.
 
“I believe that, as president, it’s my obligation to provide that global learning environment because that’s the world that’s already here for our students,” said Rev. Maher. “We want to create a laboratory of learning at Niagara University where students from all different backgrounds and all different walks of life can come together to share ideas and lend their unique perspectives on the world.”