The provincial NDP announced on June 24 that, after much work, post secondary institutions in Manitoba have agreed to work toward making it easier to transfer credits between institutions.

Presidents and vice presidents from Manitoba universities and colleges met at the Legislature to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), agreeing to have a “final plan” in place no later than February 2012.

According to Premier Greg Selinger one of the goals of the goals of the MOU is to “at least double the opportunities for student mobility in the next four years.” This will be accomplished by creating articulation and credit-transfer agreements between universities and colleges, ensuring that students “receive the maximum benefits from prior learning,” according to a press release put out by the Manitoba government.

David Jacks, CFS resource coordinator, says that “students have often expressed frustration Manitoba over mobility of their credits from one institution to another.” He went on to say that this MOU will streamline the process of moving from a college to a university and vice versa. Jacks says that this will also save students money, since they will not have to retake courses when transferring.

UMSU is also pleased by the agreement, Nour Rashid, VP (advocacy) sais that “any way to increase mobility for students and provide more options for transfers is positive.”

University of Manitoba President, David Barnard, says that this “MOU,” in addition to making it easier to transfer credits, will also make it easier to develop joint-programs.