NorQuest College

NorQuest College
NorQuest Logo
Established	1965
Type	Public diploma- and certificate-granting community college
Chairman	Ms. Lynn Faulder
President	Dr. Jodi Abbott
Students	10,000[1] 3,000 full-time 7,000 part-time
Undergraduates	available
Location	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 53°32′36″N 113°30′23″W / 53.54334°N 113.50650°W / 53.54334; -113.50650Coordinates: 53°32′36″N 113°30′23″W / 53.54334°N 113.50650°W / 53.54334; -113.50650
Campus	urban/suburban/remote (downtown, Westmount), Stony Plain, Wetaskiwin
Former names	Alberta Vocational College
Colours	Blue      & White
Affiliations	ACCC, CCAA, AACTI, CBIE
Website	NorQuest College

NorQuest College is a publicly-funded community college in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The student body numbers over 10,000, with 3,000 full-time and 7,000 part-time students.^[1] More than 2,000 students graduate each year.

History

NorQuest College was established in 1965 by the Government of Alberta as Alberta Vocational Centre(AVC),^[1] and started with four classrooms serving 60 students. The student body grew to 550 in 1966, then to 2,300 in 1972. AVC became NorQuest College in 1998. Around 10,000 students are enrolled in programs (on campus, at learning sites, online or through worksites) each year. The college serves approximately 1.3 million Albertans across its region.

Governance

The institution is governed by a board composed of 14 members, of which 10 are public members appointed by Alberta's Lieutenant Governor; three are elected by the college (including one student, one staff and one faculty) and appointed by the Minister of Advanced Education & Technology; and the President and CEO is automatically appointed.

Campus

The college has four campuses, two in Edmonton (downtown and Westmount), one in Stony Plain and one in Wetaskiwin.Additionally, community learning sites are located in Camrose, Drayton Valley, Edson, Hinton, Jasper, Westlock, and Whitecourt.

Through its distance learning network, the college reaches over 200 communities in Canada, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.^[2]

Programs

In addition to health care, allied health, human services, business and industry career programs, NorQuest offers expertise in adult literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), intercultural education, Aboriginal education, academic upgrading, and learner supports for students with disabilities.

The college offers career diplomas and certificates as well as preparatory programs. Programs are offered full-time, part-time, online, and hybrid of online and in-person.

NorQuest is the largest provider of practical nurse training and health care aide training in Canada; and has the largest number of ESL and academic upgrading students in Northern Alberta.

NorQuest supports Centres of Excellence in Print Media, Learning Supports and Intercultural Education, while Aboriginal Learning and Continuing Care Education are currently under development.

Future

Part-time learning opportunities through Continuing Education and Open Studies are a major area of focus for expansion in the college. Many classes may already be taken part-time in the evenings, and this is expected to increase.

See also

• List of universities and colleges in Alberta
• Education in Alberta
• Canadian Interuniversity Sport
• Canadian government scientific research organizations
• Canadian university scientific research organizations
• Canadian industrial research and development organizations

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} NorQuest College. "History". http://www.norquest.ca/ourquest/about/history.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-03. 
2. ^ NorQuest College. "College facts". http://www.norquest.ca/pdf/ourquest/Quick%20Facts%20-%202005.pdf. Retrieved 2008-03-03. ^{[dead link]}

All facts, unless otherwise stated, are from NorQuest College's web site:

• NorQuest College website

External links

• NorQuest College website
• NorQuest College Library website