Iqaluit to bid on hosting Inuit Nunangat University
Nunavut capital is 1 of 8 communities named by ITK as finalists for post-secondary institution
Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa, seen speaking at a conference earlier this year, says the Nunavut capital would be a “natural” place for Inuit Nunangat University. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Iqaluit would be a “great place” for Inuit Nunangat University, says Mayor Solomon Awa.
Awa made the comments Tuesday night after city councillors voted to direct staff to begin preparing a proposal to Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami about why the Nunavut capital should be the planned university’s home.
“[Iqaluit] is a natural home for a university,” Awa said.
Inuit Nunangat University is ITK’s long-running plan to build a post-secondary institution somewhere in the Inuit homeland.
Last month, ITK named Iqaluit as one of eight shortlisted communities to be the school’s potential host. The othes are Inuvik in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nain in Nunatsiavut, Puvirnituq and Kuujjuaq in Nunavik, and Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Arviat in Nunavut.
In an Oct. 6 letter to Awa and council, ITK president Natan Obed invited the city to confirm by Oct. 30 that it is interested in submitting a proposal.
“This will start discussions with our [Inuit Nunangat University] team at ITK on your community’s needs and capacity,” Obed wrote.
“Afterward, you’ll be guided in preparing a full proposal for the main campus. Communities not selected may still be considered for one of three [Inuit Nunangat University] Knowledge Centres using existing facilities.”
On Tuesday, Iqaluit chief administrative officer Steve England sought direction from council on how the city should respond.
Coun. Kyle Sheppard called Iqaluit the “logical home” for Inuit Nunangat University, citing the city’s infrastructure. He moved to direct staff to respond to ITK with an expression of interest.
Awa agreed with Sheppard, noting that the city is midway through its long-term water supply and delivery system upgrades.
He also said a university would be a great addition to the city’s educational institutions, which include Nunavut Arctic College and six kindergaten-through-Grade 12 schools.
“We have to advertise Iqaluit, ‘Hey, come over here,’ and ‘this is [a] great place,’” Awa said.
However, the decision lies with ITK.
The Inuit organization plans to select its main campus later this year, with an aim to open in 2030.
The school is expected to have the capacity to host 100 students and 80 staff.
I am cheering for Cambridge Bay. With the CHARS center already in place it would provide a huge number of advantages not the least of which is contact with a wide field of disciplines already using those facilities.
And it isn’t Iqaluit.
Plus chars ain’t even being use yet may as well get it to good use eh
Even Arviat did a bid for the University—–imagine putting a university in a dry town 🤣
How about Nunavut students actually graduate high school and enrol in a Real university that’s already accredited?
i feel a lot better now that awa is on the job. lol
I hope Ice Cove wins.
Seriously? The GN can’t run the college it already has. No housing. Too much crime. To many hungry mouths already.
Terrible idea
Arviat would be a great place for it as its a dry town, meaning students would have clear minds.
Maybe a hot take, but I think Rankin or Arviat could be good choices. If they complete building a road to communities in that region, would allow easy access for student from nearby communities, and also allow for much more resources compared to communities that will be stuck with only air cargo and summer sealifts.
look up the word “Decentralization” and its benefits
We tried decentralization. It was a disaster.
What benefits?
Iqaluit is not capable, as evidenced by NAC.!
Maybe arviat for sure. Would open more to see other lands and people. Language and strong hunting place
How about Nunavut students actually graduate high school first. For Real.
Update the Nunavut high school curriculum to provincial standards, I e. Alberta, Ontario….
Why is this even a thing? There is no business case for this university anywhere in the north – at least as a stand alone university. There is no jurisdiction this small that could conceivably manage the institution. Costs of bricks and mortar are already expensive. To pay professors and support staff competitively would be exorbitant. Then there is housing…. There is not enough potential student draw for what, by a Canadian standard, would be considered a university.
Best case – local colleges run preparation courses and send students off to finish at an accredited institution. If demand is there – you could run the occasional one off short course or program on some Arctic theme.
Since Iqaluit does not have room for a 4-plex, where does it expect to house the hundreds of students, faculty, and staff for Nunangat University?
Does Iqaluit propose that Nunangat University’s academic year be compressed into January to May, so students, faculty, and staff can build their own igloos on the sea ice?