NAC was accepted to the UArctic Council at the Yakutsk, Russia, meeting this past June.

The UArctic is a network of 46 colleges, universities and organizations working together to promote learning activities for people in the circumpolar world.

It began in a developmental process as the result of a 1998 directive from the Arctic Council.

A number of programs have been developed, including the bachelor of circumpolar studies (BCS) and circumpolar mobility programs.

Arviat's Linda Pemik, director of academic affairs for NAC, says the BCS is an undergraduate program focusing on issues pertaining to the circumpolar world.

She says an environmental technology graduate from NAC would be able to build on that diploma to take an additional seven core courses.

"They would then be able to complete their advanced emphasis through one of the other member institutions to get a bachelor of circumpolar studies focusing on issues from a circumpolar perspective," says Pemik.

"A bachelor in circumpolar studies, with an advanced emphasis on environmental technology, provides professional qualifications for that field, as well as an understanding of the issues as they pertain to Nunavut, the Arctic and the circumpolar world."

The mobility program gives students the opportunity to study from three to 12 months at another member institution to work towards a diploma in their field of study.

"It's always been difficult for Northern students to participate in other mobility programs because they have to pay the difference between their actual travel costs and the average living cost.

"The existing mobility programs are also aimed primarily at university or post-graduate students."

Pemik says it's a top priority for NAC to accurately represent the needs of Nunavut at the UArctic council.

She says the college plans to deliver some BCS courses and partner with an institution such as Athabasca University, which is planning to deliver some courses through distance education.

"There's a desire among Nunavummiut to get university degrees.

"This would be one way they could do that more easily without leaving home."