Postsecondary education is essential to the social and economic development of the NWT. The transformation of Aurora College into a polytechnic university will help meet labour demands, support the knowledge economy by encouraging innovation, and attract new investments in northern research.

This work will be led by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in collaboration with Aurora College.

What we will do

1. Transform Aurora College into an accredited and independent polytechnic university over the next six years

How we will do it

1.a. Complete an implementation plan that will outline the overall transformation process.

1.b. Engage with Indigenous governments and key stakeholders to develop a three year strategic plan for Aurora College that will shape the first phase of the transformation process.

1.c. Complete a regional needs assessment and release a capital plan for the polytechnic university.

1.d. Complete an institutional quality assurance review.

1.e. Work with the federal government to access infrastructure funding for the campuses.

How we will demonstrate progress

1.a. Implementation plan completed, monitored and progress reported on (Summer 2020)

1.b. Three year strategic plan released, implemented and monitored (Fall 2020)

1.c. Capital plan completed and submitted (Fall 2021)

1.d. Quality assurance review completed, monitored and progress reported on (Fall 2023)

1.e. Number of campus improvement projects secured by federal funding (ongoing)