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Alliance formed between UAF and Northern Marianas �þ�����Ƶ

February 25, 2012

Marmian Grimes

Nancy Tarnai
907-474-5042


A new agreement between the �þ�����Ƶ and Northern Marianas �þ�����Ƶ will allow NMC students to complete a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management in Fairbanks and for UAF students to study in Saipan.

The cooperation began when representatives from each school connected at Agricultural Development in the American Pacific and Pacific Land Grant Alliance meetings. “This is a major step to bridging the effort we started several years ago,” said Raaj Kurapati, associate vice chancellor at UAF.

Sharon Hart, president of NMC, was in Fairbanks in January to meet with UAF leaders. “This is extremely unique considering we are a community college that will now offer a four-year program,” Hart said.

The agreement, signed by Chancellor Rogers and President Hart, calls for cooperation in education and research, exchanging faculty, publications, research, scholars and students, performing joint research and providing technical and administrative assistance.

“This is an opportunity for our students looking for internationalization,” UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers said. “It will expose them to other cultures and provide a richer experience. They will be better prepared for life if they have studied abroad.”

Like UAF, NMC is a land-grant institution. NMC currently offers an associate’s degree in natural resources management. “As the climate continues to change sea levels are rising and there is concern about the water supply. There is an escalating desire to build capacity in natural resources management,” said SNRAS Dean and AFES Director Carol Lewis.

While the new program will begin with the natural resources degree, there is hope more programs will be added in the future.