Lakehead University is considering expanding its master of business administration (MBA) program into Barrie and has asked for feedback through an online survey from business owners, property owners, professionals and students to determine what they want.
The university’s program would offer courses in human resources, management and innovation.
“What we’re doing at this point is really more an exploration about the level of interest,” said David Richards, assistant dean and graduate co-ordinator in the faculty of business administration at Lakehead University.
“We are open to hearing from the community about generally where (in Barrie) there would be the greatest interest," he added. "We’ve asked in the survey if people would want it in the north end, the south end, downtown, close to (Highway) 400, because that might make a difference for some people. Or they might say, it doesn’t matter.”
Richards says Lakehead has been working with the City of Barrie to reach out to the business community, adding that the city has the connections to people or organizations who might be most interested in the campus.
Richards also clarifies that Lakehead expanding into Barrie isn’t set in stone.
“We’re really trying to hear from the community, what the level of interest would be (in this program). If they tell us they’re not interested, then there’s our answer," he said. "If they’re interested, then we would go to the next step which would be more about exploring different options.”
The Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) hopes Lakehead will be swayed to choose the downtown as the most viable option based on public input.
“We feel that Lakehead and its MBA students would benefit from being in an environment that directly reflects their area of study,” said Craig Stevens, managing director of the BIA. “Also, downtown Barrie’s already vibrant professional community would grow, further heading it in the right progressive direction."
For more information about Lakehead University’s MBA program, click here.
To provide feedback directly to Lakehead University and complete the questionnaire, click here.
