September 1, 2000 For Immediate Release

The University of Northern British Columbia Senate has approved a number of new exchange agreements that will increase the number of UNBC exchange opportunities for students and faculty from twelve to nearly 190. The new agreements cover universities in the United States, Mexico, Norway, Germany, and Italy.

The National Student Exchange (NSE) is a US-based exchange program that provides links with 167 universities around the United States. UNBC is one of only four Canadian universities accepted into the NSE so far.

The NAFTA Northern Mobility Consortium Project involves six universities (two each in Mexico, the US, and Canada) and provides students/faculty with exchange opportunities to address the growing relationship between Canada, the US, and Mexico. The program focuses on sustainable community issues and will involve students studying the social sciences, business, and natural sciences.

New exchanges have also been established to strengthen UNBC's links with European universities:

The University of Tromso is the world's most northerly university and has established a medical program as well as research and teaching focused on the North.

The University of Florence had requested an exchange with UNBC, particularly recognizing UNBC's strength in rural health, the social sciences, and quality of life research. The Italian university has a leading institute focusing on the development of the European Union.

The exchanges with the University of Gottingen and the University of Bonn are UNBC's first exchanges in Germany and offer opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in interdisciplinary study and research.

Prior to the new agreements, UNBC had formal exchange agreements with twelve universities in seven different countries. Annually, UNBC normally has about 80 international students including 18 who are on exchange.