Medicine Hat College is preparingto require prrof of vaccination from students staff and visitors, a release on Monday states.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Medicine Hat College has been given the green light to prepare for in-person classes for the upcoming fall term.
“We are so looking forward to welcoming students back on campus,” said MHC’s president and CEO Kevin Shufflebotham.
“We’ve missed their energy and excitement and I can’t wait to be able to see their faces in the hallways again. The resiliency our students have shown throughout this experience has been remarkable and we are inspired by and grateful for their perseverance.”
Alberta’s minister of advanced education, Demetrios Nicolaides, issued a statement Thursday encouraging all post-secondary institutions to prepare for a full return to on-campus learning this fall.
Shufflebotham added MHC has learned a lot through the pandemic and he hopes the college is able to maintain some of their online offerings, while learning largely moves back to in-person.
“I applaud students, faculty and staff for their innovation and creativity, but as much as some students have appreciated the flexibility that an online platform provides, some students just want to be face-to-face and I think that is what’s important,” he said.
The college will look at what worked in an online environment and what works best face-to-face.
When students return to the classroom this fall, there will also be three new programs available. The new programs include diplomas in agroecology, humanities and social sciences. A one year post-diploma certificate in advanced accounting will also be offered at MHC.
“As a comprehensive community college, it’s important we meet the needs of our region and our learners. So, offering these new programs is just a natural step,” said Shufflebotham.
MHC vice-president academic Vicky Roy said in a news release that “faculty have been working very hard to develop programs that connect students with career opportunities.”
The safety of faculty, staff and students will remain a priority as the college prepares for the transition to in-person learning, said Shufflebotham.
