ACC and BU to explore joint school of business

Business education in Brandon could look a lot different over the next few years, as the city’s two post-secondary institutions have agreed to explore the concept of a hybrid business program and future joint school of business.

Business education in Brandon could look a lot different over the next few years, as the city’s two post-secondary institutions have agreed to explore the concept of a hybrid business program and future joint school of business.

“A joint school between ACC and BU would offer significant benefits to learners, employers and communities,” said ACC President Mark Frison.

This new initiative builds on a growing history of collaboration between Assiniboine Community College (ACC) and Brandon University (BU). Historically, the business administration programs have seen high numbers of students moving between the two institutions, taking advantage of transfer agreements that create multiple pathways for learners.

“We see this as a great opportunity to grow our business programs to better serve the needs of the Brandon region and the province,” said BU President Gervan Fearon.

The first step of the new collaboration will be the creation of a formal hybrid business program, building on the existing 2+2 program that allows students to receive transfer credit when moving between the two institutions. The hybrid program would have multiple completion points for business students, with different credentials available at each stage, including diploma and degree options.

“The current arrangement between ACC and BU has served many learners well,” Frison said. “A hybrid degree would allow better program coordination and more effective use of capacity, taking business programming in Brandon to a new level.”

The institutions will explore offering new degree majors such as human resources, marketing and hospitality in addition to the existing accounting major. In the future, the program could expand to graduate level with some already expressing interest in an MBA program.

“This will contribute to making Brandon a destination for post-secondary education, attracting more students from across Canada and internationally,” Frison said.

The institutions will also explore a co-location for the new joint school.

“A vibrant business program and future school are critical to creating the type of city we need to attract and retain our talented graduates within the region,” Fearon said. “We will be working with all levels of government, the Chamber of Commerce and industry partners to advance these opportunities.”

In 2014 the institutions, along with the Province of Manitoba, signed Growing Together – Vision 20/20, a memorandum of understanding aimed at fostering collaboration between the two institutions to meet student, community and social needs.

Under the Province of Manitoba’s recently released post-secondary strategy, collaboration is a central theme. The relationship between ACC and BU has been recognized as a model for cooperation in Manitoba and both institutions say that now is the ideal time to strengthen that connection.