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UWinnipeg to strengthen theological education

WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg, which currently offers a number of graduate degrees, as well as a new diploma program in Theology, is committed to strengthening theological education on campus and enhancing community outreach to the broader theological community. Consultations between the University and theology faculty members have been underway for some time to ensure the best use of human and material resources. Those discussions recognize that a stand alone Faculty consisting of just three professors, a term position and a Dean is not academically feasible. Therefore, work is underway to ensure that UWinnipeg’s theological degree and diploma programs will continue to be offered, articulated with compatible entities such as the Ridd Institute for Religion and Global Policy and the Knowles-Woodsworth Centre for Theology and Public Policy.

For more than a century, UWinnipeg has had a rich and proud tradition of offering theological education. That tradition continues with students enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology; the Master of Divinity; the Master of Arts (Theology); the Master of Arts Spiritual Disciplines & Ministry Practices; Master of Sacred Theology; Supervised Pastoral Education and Certificate of Theology among others. Students enrolled in these programs will not be affected by the reorganization. Faculty and staff within the current Faculty of Theology will likewise remain with the University within its reorganized structure.

Over the last several years, the University has been exploring ways to enhance the presence of its academic programming, community outreach and interfaith dialogue. Recent examples include UWinnipeg’s co-hosting of the G8/G20 Interfaith Summit on campus, its ongoing support for the Middle East Week Lecture Series, and creation of the new Indigenous Spiritual & Pastoral Care Diploma. This June, the University will co-host a national conference, along with the United Church, entitled “Holy Shift: Christianity Beyond Religion.”

Another recent impetus for the reexamination was necessitated by withdrawal of financial support in 2010 by the General Council of the United Church of Canada, which had been a funding partner since 1925.

Within Canadian University structures, a full-fledged Faculty normally contains numerous departments, professors and support staff.  UWinnipeg’s Faculty of Arts, for example, consists of more than 20 different departments and programs and approximately 150 faculty members.

MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca