By Rob Schellenberg

D

wayne Uglem hopes this is the first step in a long journey.

Uglem, president of Briercrest College and Seminary, welcomed the Government of Saskatchewan’s announcement of a public consultation process to consider expanding degree-granting status in the province.

It is something that the leadership at Briercrest has been anxiously waiting for.

“I am thrilled that our question has now been formally accepted and a process has been designed to answer the question of whether or not Briercrest could be listed as a degree granting institution (degrees beyond theology) in the province of Saskatchewan,” Uglem said.

The president has regularly talked to government members about the achievements of our alumni and the quality of education they received at Briercrest.

“Briercrest College and Seminary has sent students to some of the finest universities and seminaries in North America and beyond, often with impressive results,” he said. “In recognition of such an outstanding academic record, it is both appropriate and necessary that the government is exploring the question of expanding its recognition of the degrees offered by institutions such as ours.”

“Briercrest is grateful for the prospect of a widened degree granting authority and a provincial review of our current accreditation and the quality of our degrees beyond theology. For over 30 years we have been active participants in the quality assurance movement through our accreditation with the Association for Biblical Higher Education and the Association of Theological Schools.”

Expanding the degree-granting capabilities of the institution, won’t mean a loss of the school’s focus.

“Our mission is to offer high quality Christian higher education where students are encouraged to consider carefully what it means to be prepared for a life of service,” Uglem emphasized.

“Briercrest will continue to give unique attention to the importance of higher education in an environment that is Christ-centred, church focused, and service oriented. In addition to present degrees in theology, biblical studies, church ministry, business, humanities, marriage and family counselling, leadership and management, and applied linguistics, we envision a day when students could take a broad range of baccalaureate degrees as well as professional programs that would serve the people of Saskatchewan and beyond.”

Uglem called on staff and faculty members to continue to keep these actions in their prayers.

“Let’s continue to pray for the Lord’s leading in this process – even as we praise the Lord for this answer to our prayers,” he said.

Click here to download the press release sent to the local media.

For more information on the provincial consultation see: http://www.aeei.gov.sk.ca/consultations-degree-granting