New pitch for Iqaluit university

In a recent letter to the editor of the local St. John’s newspaper, the Telegram, I proposed that a sister university to Memorial University of Newfoundland, known as Memorial University of Labrador be set up in Labrador.

I argued that MUL would be the only truly northern university anywhere in the world. There are universities in northern Russia and other places, but they resemble southern universities. There is nothing truly northern or unique about them.

On reflection, I think a more appropriate place for a truly northern university is Iqaluit. It could be called the Inuksuk University or whatever the peoples of the north want it to be called.

Such a university could start out small and be an extension of the Nunavut Arctic College. It could have special programs dealing with northern issues.

It does not make sense that it try to duplicate degree programs already in existence in southern universities. Instead it could establish two-year diploma programs that feed into these programs. The feeders could be in areas such as engineering, physics, chemistry and mathematics.

The campus for the new university could have just three buildings connected by walk ways: one for lectures, another for labs and another for research and offices.

Research at the new university could focus on topics such as the environment. It could be a gathering place for those doing work in the area. It might even house an environmental institute and maybe a law school of the North.

I think a university in Iqaluit would provide a boost to the morale of the peoples of the north. It would not cure all ills but it would be a place where the creativity and ingenuity of the north could shine. It could be an election issue.

Dr. Michael Hinchey
Memorial University
Newfoundland

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