University of Lethbridge and Navitas Announce Internationalization Partnership at Calgary Campus

Navitas North America CEO Dr. Brian Stevenson joins University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Michael Mahon and Navitas Group CEO Scott Jones in signing a partnership agreement to create the ULethbridge International College Calgary on March 13, 2023. Photo courtesy of the University of Lethbridge.

Having now been approved as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) on the Government of Alberta’s recommendation, UICC will begin recruiting international students this fall.

As a next step, Navitas will work collaboratively with the University of Lethbridge and its community over the summer to design programs and shared services that will help to prepare international students for academic and personal success.

The goal of UICC is to offer an integrated and highly customized program that includes academic course content, study skills development, and wraparound social and academic support systems.

This will allow students, upon successful completion, to progress to second year in certain undergraduate degrees at the university at either the Calgary or Lethbridge campus, including the Dhillon School of Business. ULethbridge retains full control over all academic aspects of the UICC program.

Navitas has nearly 30 years of experience establishing successful pathway programs with publicly funded universities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

This will be Navitas fifth partnership with a Canadian university; its first was with Simon Fraser University beginning in 2006 followed by the University of Manitoba in 2007, Toronto Metropolitan University in 2020, and Wilfrid Laurier University in 2021.

Combined, these programs welcome approximately 5,000 international students from more than 90 countries each year. Ninety per cent of students progressed from Navitas’ Canadian programs to their host university.

More information on UICC programs and registration information will be available later this fall.

Dr. Mike Mahon, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Lethbridge said: “The University of Lethbridge is a destination for students from around the world and our partnership with Navitas will create more opportunities for international students to attend our institution. In addition to preparing our students for the future, attracting bright young minds from around the world will enhance economically and socially the many communities the University serves.

Scott Jones, Group CEO, Navitas said: “The University of Lethbridge will benefit greatly from the Navitas global marketing network and to a pathway program that puts the needs of international students first.

“ULethbridge’s commitment to nurturing student success and personal growth, promoting a diverse and inclusive community combined with its reputation for teaching and research excellence makes it an ideal destination for international students.

“We look forward to introducing Lethbridge and Calgary to international students and promoting the high-quality post-secondary education for which both Canada and ULethbridge are known.”

Dr. Brian J.R. Stevenson, President & CEO, Navitas University Partnerships North America (UPNA), added: “The ULethbridge International College Calgary will quickly become an important addition to Calgary’s vibrant downtown community, welcoming international students from all corners of the world to begin their university journeys there.

“We are delighted to welcome ULethbridge to the Navitas community and look forward to many years of collaboration supporting student success.”

About the University of Lethbridge

Founded in 1967 on traditional Blackfoot land, the University of Lethbridge welcomes approximately 8,500 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world to its campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary each year. ULethbridge fosters a learning community that meets the educational and personal growth needs of its students by emphasizing teaching excellence; exposure to research; information literacy; interaction with professors and instructors; effective academic advising, applied learning opportunities and career counselling; and a spectrum of cultural, recreational, and extracurricular opportunities.