Olds and Lethbridge Colleges are coming together to ensure the province’s agriculture industry has access to world-class researchers, resources and data.
The agriculture applied research institutions have signed a memorandum of understanding focused on applied agriculture research, which will benefit both institutions as well as the province’s primary producers, businesses and agencies throughout the agri-food supply chain.
To launch the agreement, both colleges have signed on to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, becoming the first two colleges in Alberta, and among the first colleges in Canada, to sign the accord.
Both colleges are committed to supporting sustainable practices, in particular the United Nations goals of zero hunger; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; responsible consumption and production; and partnerships.
“Olds College and Lethbridge College have a history of addressing the key issues and opportunities of Alberta’s agriculture sector, including through our growing applied research programs,” says Olds College president Stuart Cullum.
“Our impact is significantly enhanced through collaboration and information sharing and this (memorandum of understanding) formalizes our intent to work more closely in support of Alberta’s agriculture industry and our province’s economic recovery. By signing the Sustainable Development Goals Accord, we also are embracing the leadership that the agriculture sector demonstrates and our roles in enhancing it for the benefit of our industry, our institutions and our students.”
The colleges, which both have Technology Access Centres, will work together to identify joint projects, refer companies to each other based on the best fit with infrastructure and research expertise, and share relevant data and data networks.
The memorandum initially covers a three-year period and will be governed by a joint committee of representatives from both institutions.