UNBC is extending its education tentacles and has entered into a partnership with the proposed Whistler University.
UNBC president George Iwama said Whistler's reputation as a sustainable world-class resort provides a natural fit for UNBC, which has trademarked itself as "Canada's Green University."
"Whistler has established a good reputation in sustainability and UNBC is the leading campus in Canada in its approach to energy," said Iwama, in a prepared release. "Bringing some of our programs to Whistler will draw a national and international academic community."
UNBC is the second established school to align with the Whistler University concept. A similar partnership agreement with the B.C. Institute of Technology was announced in December.
"This offers the opportunity to make the Whistler U learning campus one of Canada's most innovative and inviting learning environments for students," said project director Doug Player, in the Whistler Question.
"Dr. Iwama is a true visionary leader in Canada's post-secondary industry. He has garnered global respect for UNBC and we could not ask for a finer university to bring to the Whistler community. I believe this is an excellent way to diversify Whistler's economy while supporting our primary industry of tourism."
The Whistler U project is planning a university campus at a 77-acre site in the Alpha Lands area at the southern edge of Whistler by 2020. The university would offer five programs in its initial phase, including tourism, sustainability, business (MBA), culinary arts and First Nations studies.
