UNBC President Charles Jago and CNC President Terry Weninger were both on hand in Quesnel to make the announcement at a celebration held at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

"The College is proud to be a partner in the delivery training for health care professionals in the north. We are pleased that the provincial government is providing the College with additional funding resources to help address the critical shortage of Registered Nurses in this region," said Weninger.

Charles Jago, President of the University of Northern British Columbia, said, "The University is committed to addressing the healthcare needs of the north through increasing the availability of healthcare professionals. It has been well-demonstrated that health professionals and likely to stay and practice in the region where they're trained. Making education accessible locally is key to maintaining quality health care."

Quesnel's Northern Health Authority Administrator John Knoch expressed pleasure and relief at the announcement, "We are confident that the program will be a big success in Quesnel, as the health care and post-secondary education communities have demonstrated a strong commitment and support for the training of nurses locally."

Students in the four year Nursing degree program will take their first two years of studies through the College in Quesnel, then continue on to complete years three and four with the University also in Quesnel.

There will be 20 first year student spaces available in the Quesnel component of the Nursing program.

The application deadline is May 31, 2002.