A collaboration between U of T and Centennial College is being praised by administrators at both schools. But a professor at a rival school said the idea won’t give journalism graduates the jobs they’re looking for.

Three new programs (new media, journalism and paramedicine) have been developed by the University of Toronto at Scarborough in collaboration with Centennial College. Graduates will receive a degree from U of T and a diploma from Centennial. While the journalism and new media programs began this year, paramedicine won’t be available until Fall 2003.

When asked why U of T decided to partner with Centennial, Joan Foley, UTSC’s advisor on partnership, said, “Centennial has very successful programs in these areas. U of T didn’t have a journalism program at all. It’s a good place to begin to develop something new and different.”

Paul Thompson, the president of UTSC, added that since employers are often looking for immediate skills in hiring new graduates, many university students are now looking for more practical training to help them get their first job.

Thompson said the two types of education in the new programs give students a distinct advantage. “Yes, we incorporate more elements. It is our belief that we will provide students with a stronger overall degree,” he said.

Study in new media must be supplemented by another major, while journalism students are encouraged to focus their degree by taking elective courses in other areas. A potential science journalist could take such courses as biology and chemistry.

However, Vince Carlin, chair of the Ryerson School of Journalism, isn’t convinced. In response to Thompson’s claim, he said, “That’s nonsense…we have a much more experienced and broad-based faculty and we have a balanced program of liberal studies. U of T is a reputable place but Centennial has never been competition for us.… I mean, come on. It’s a college.” He also mentioned that in his 25 years on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation hiring committees, he had never encountered an applicant from Centennial.

Thompson denied that a partnership with Centennial would weaken the programs. “Students have to satisfy the admission qualifications at U of T and they also have to satisfy Centennial’s. Also, the courses [at Centennial] have been approved by the university, so they won’t be weaker programs.”