Providence University College, working in cooperation with the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba, now offers a new four-year double major in business and agriculture.
This new initiative enables students wanting to make a career in agriculture and business to take courses both at Providence University College in Otterburne, and at the Agricultural and Food Sciences Faculty on the U of M campus in Winnipeg.
“This degree will prepare students for at least two career streams,” said Bruce Duggan, Associate Professor of Management and Director of the Buller Centre for Business at Providence. “We expect that some graduates will pursue administrative careers in agri-businesses, while others will focus on succeeding in family farm operations.”
“This is an excellent fit for us at Providence,” says Dr. Gus Konkel, President of Providence. “It gives us another option for meeting the needs and interests of a rural constituency. We also know that there are many urban students who are interested in agriculture and agri-business, and this program will enable them to turn that interest into a career. It’s also exciting to be building a partnership with one of one of North America’s leading agricultural faculties at the University of Manitoba.”
The first Providence student participating in this new initiative is Jordan Siemens, a young farmer and entrepreneur from Horndean. “This degree is helping me develop the skills and knowledge I need to return to our family farm and help ensure its continuing success over the coming decades”, said Jordan. Jordan Siemens was an ACE Canada Student Entrepreneur Regional Champion last year.
“Jordan is our ‘test pilot’ in this initiative,” says Professor Duggan. “Applications are being accepted now, with the first regular intake of students slated for Fall 2012. Our intention is to keep the numbers small, so we can continue to provide the individual attention that is the hallmark of Providence’s programs.”
