Athabasca University Western Deans Agreement: Making Quality Education Accessible to All

Athabasca University (AU) is an online institution based in Alberta, Canada, that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as certificate and diploma courses, in various fields. Despite being geographically distant from its students, AU has gained recognition for its quality education and flexible delivery, making it one of the top distance education providers in Canada and beyond.

One of the reasons for AU`s success in distance education is its partnerships and agreements with other institutions and organizations. One such partnership is the Western Deans Agreement (WDA), which was signed by AU and other western Canadian universities in 2006.

The WDA is a collaborative effort among 18 post-secondary institutions in western Canada, including the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia, and others. As stated in its website, the WDA aims to “enhance the accessibility and delivery of post-secondary programs and services by increasing the flexibility of program offerings and reducing barriers to access.”

Under the WDA, students of participating institutions can take courses from other member institutions and count them towards their degree or certificate programs. This opens up more opportunities for students to access courses that are not available at their own institution or that are better suited to their interests and career goals.

AU, as an online institution, plays an important role in the WDA by providing access to courses that can be taken from anywhere and at any time. Many of AU`s courses are also transferable to other institutions, making it easier for students to complete their degrees or transfer to other universities.

Moreover, the WDA allows for shared resources and expertise among member institutions. AU, for instance, has expertise in online learning and technology-mediated instruction, which it can share with other institutions that may be new to these modes of delivery. On the other hand, AU can also learn from the experiences of other member institutions in areas such as research, experiential learning, and community engagement.

The WDA also promotes the recognition of prior learning, which means that students can get credit for their work and life experiences that relate to their course or program. This is particularly beneficial to adult learners who may have non-traditional paths to education but have valuable skills and knowledge that can be recognized and integrated into their academic pursuits.

In summary, the Western Deans Agreement is a testament to the collaboration and commitment of western Canadian universities in providing quality education that is accessible to all. Through the agreement, students can benefit from a wider range of courses and resources, while institutions can learn from each other`s strengths and expertise. As AU continues to play a central role in the WDA, it affirms its mission to empower learners and transform lives through flexible, innovative, and inclusive education.