Statement of Values

NSAC students, faculty and staff share common values that shape our unique culture and define our vision. Our accomplishments reflect the highest standards of performance and excellence and an institutional philosophy that balances academic freedom and individual rights with the responsibilities of accountability and personal and professional integrity. Our values are most evident in the efforts of our students, faculty and staff and in our commitment to the environment and to agriculture and rural communities: Agriculture: NSAC’s

• Agriculture: NSAC's primary commitment is to supporting a sustainable agriculture and food industry through relevant education, training and knowledge creation and transfer programs. We recognize agriculture as a highly responsive and exciting industry extending from soil to shelf, providing healthy food, fibre and fuels for the benefit of all society. It is the foundation of rural communities and we consider food security, responsible stewardship and increased industry diversity among its highest priorities. Over the next five years, we will continue to identify the ecological goods and services provided through agriculture and related rural industries and to lead innovation and knowledge transfer within the emerging bio-economy that is agriculture today.
• Contribution: NSAC students, faculty, staff and alumni value the opportunity to make meaningful contributions and recognize our primary individual and institutional responsibility is to the advancement of knowledge. Our students, faculty, staff and alumni bring perspective and specialized expertise to problems and opportunities around the world.
• The Environment: NSAC conducts all its research and education in light of the urgent environmental challenges of climate change, resource use, increased pollution and biodiversity decline. Our students, faculty and staff are committed to promoting a sustainable human and environmental future.
• Individuals: NSAC recognizes that its success is due to the combined efforts of its students, faculty, staff and alumni who pursue their work with creativity, intellectual rigour and professional competence. We support the efforts of each individual with a challenging and motivating learning and working environment and an ethic of fairness, openness and respect.
• Partnership: NSAC partners with industry groups, government agencies, community groups and other institutions in Canada and around the world. We operate responsibly in all of our partnerships and bring to those partnerships an institutional and individual commitment to equity, integrity and collaborative achievement.