McMaster and Mohawk support new credit transfer system, look to further strengthen collaborations for students

McMaster University and Mohawk College applaud the Ontario government for
improving the affordability of postsecondary education with the introduction of a credit
transfer system.

The system will reduce the need for students to repeat similar courses or years at
different institutions, allowing them to save time and money and graduate faster.

To give students the best of a college and university education, McMaster and Mohawk
have a significant track record of collaboration through the creation of a Bachelor of
Technology program and collaborative degree programs in nursing and medical
radiation sciences.

More than 3300 students have benefitted from joint McMaster/Mohawk initiatives over
the last ten years. In 2008, the Ontario government invested $16.5 million to support
the McMaster-Mohawk BTech program.

“Mohawk and McMaster have developed a unique ability of working together that has
benefitted thousands of students,” said McMaster University President Patrick Deane.
“Our goal of finding new ways for students to have the advantages of both a college
and university education will be strengthened by the new credit transfer system.”

Deane was part of the Ministry's steering committee that advised the government on
the development of a credit transfer system.

The McMaster-Mohawk BTech program was the first of its kind in Canada and was
recognized in 2006 by the Yves Landry Foundation with the Innovative Manufacturing
Technology Program Award: University Level. Both the nursing and medical radiation
sciences collaborative degree programs at the Mohawk-McMaster Institute of Applied
Health Sciences have achieved the highest possible levels of accreditation.

“The Province's new credit transfer system helps Mohawk deliver on our commitment to
give every student a clear path to a university degree,” said Mohawk College President
Rob MacIsaac. Mohawk surveys show that 40 per cent of incoming students at the
college are interested in continuing their education at university.

Building on the success of collaborative degree programs in health and technology,
McMaster and Mohawk are currently exploring similar collaborations for students in a
number of different disciplines. As part of the credit transfer system, the province is
establishing a new innovation fund to help universities and colleges develop more
transfer options for students.

“We're definitely interested in learning more about the Credit Transfer Innovation Fund
as we look at further strengthening the spirit of collaboration between our institutions
and giving even more students the best of a McMaster and Mohawk education,” said
MacIsaac.