College, Science Institute consolidating

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Two schools in the far North will soon be joining forces.

Arctic College and the Science Institute of the NWT are integrating, the Minister responsible for Arctic College and the Science Institute said.

"This integration will give us the opportunity to introduce academic and applied science and technology courses into the Arctic College curriculum."

Combining the two organizations will eliminate the need for two administrations, Nerysoo said. The money saved will be used to support science programs.

"The idea of combining the College and the Science Institute has been around

for some time. Now that we are streamlining government to make it more effective and efficient, this is a good time to act," he said.

Integrating the schools should also increase emphasis on the importance of academic science, create new courses, improve research facilities at both institutes and increase the use of Indigenous knowledge in the scientific field, Nerysoo said.

The move could also attract more high-profile scientists to the far North, increase research in the Arctic and provide more training and employment opportunities in science and technology, he said.