Great Plains College and a southern Saskatchewan business have partnered to bring added scholarship opportunities to business students.

Stark & Marsh CPA LLP signed a two-year agreement with Great Plains College that will give full-time students at the college $5,000 in entrance scholarship opportunities each year.

Dave Keast, President of Great Plains College, explains Stark & Marsh has been a contributor for a number of years, but that this partnership goes beyond the donations.

"They also participate in some learning experiences right in the classroom. Sometimes Stark & Marsh will come to the college - into a business program for example - and provide a lecture or a presentation on a specialized topic. That's the kind of college-industry partnership we want to encourage and support because it enhances the student learning experience and it better prepares them for the work world," he said.

Keast also notes that with the new 2-year business diploma program coming this September to Great Plains College is a great way to grow the connection with Swift Current businesses.

"My first comment to the Swift Current business community is thank you very much for your support. We hope you'll continue to provide that kind of support.

And secondly, we're looking for ways to enhance our relationship with the business community. The Stark & Marsh partnership is an example of not just simply support the scholarship program with funds, but participating in the curriculum and in the program," he said.

"We are very supportive and very interested in working with the local business community on that work-integrated learning model."

The GPC President shares how students, as prospective alumni, could be able to contribute to the local business community, as well as the economy.

"The more students that study longer in the local community, a significant percentage of those people tend to stay in the community - this helps the local economy. The research shows that, in quite a few cases, people who study at home and complete their studies tend to return to home-base to work," he said.

Keast adds that increased scholarship opportunities mean students have more chances to save money and pursue their first two years of a degree closer to home.

Great Plains College offered approximately $175,750 in entrance scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year.