Students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the University of Northern British Columbia have been active in fostering the development of a new institution that is aiming to expand northern educational opportunities.

The University of the Arctic is a partnership among northern colleges and universities to expand access to a university education throughout the northern countries. The course offerings have recently expanded and UNBC faculty and students are involved. Professors Gary Wilson and Heather Myers are teaching UArctic/UNBC courses at the Prince George campus and about 43 students are registered. The courses cover issues of relevance to all northern countries: health and health care, political development, tourism, the environment, land claims, economic diversification, and indigenous rights. The University of the Arctic is also offering an online course this semester that has about 25 students from 6 countries registered, including two UNBC students.

The courses - developed by dozen of professors from seven countries - comprise the heart of UArctic's signature program, a Bachelor of Circumpolar Studies (BCS). The program provides a solid understanding of northern issues with a circumpolar perspective and has been Chaired for UArctic by UNBC Political Science professor Greg Poelzer. Others from UNBC have played an active role:

"Our involvement with UArctic is providing UNBC with many important northern linkages," says professor Heather Myers, Northern Studies coordinator for UNBC. "For our students, it has been useful to hear about important issues here - health care, economic development, resource management, etc - and how the issues are being addressed in other northern countries. The lessons learned can often be applied here."

"Among Canadian universities involved with the University of the Arctic, UNBC has been one of the most active," adds Dr Poelzer. "It has helped to build recognition of UNBC around the North."