Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO of Bow Valley College, is proud to be appointed chair of the Government of Alberta's newly created Foreign Credential Advisory Committee.
"As Alberta looks to fill labour gaps, boost its competitiveness, and fuel the economy, it makes perfect sense to explore how talented professionals with diplomas, degrees, or designations granted by institutions outside of Canada can play a role," says Dr. Mwaba.
Bow Valley College has a strong track record of developing innovative ways to meet evolving labour market needs through work-integrated learning (WIL), competency-based education, micro-credentials, and reskilling and upskilling.
The college is excited to work with the Government of Alberta and a committee of experts with invaluable insights from various backgrounds to remove barriers for internationally trained professionals.
"As an immigrant, and through my conversations with experienced credentialed newcomers, I am keenly aware of the passion, abilities, and untapped resources our province can take advantage of. Finding ways to get them working faster will benefit all Albertans," says Dr. Mwaba.
The committee is tasked with consulting employers, regulators, and post-secondaries. It will examine successful practices outside of Alberta and make recommendations on improving the process and facilitating the recognition of foreign credentials in certain professions.
The committee will make its recommendations to the Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism by June 2025.
Dr. Misheck Mwaba's biography
Dr. Misheck Mwaba is the College's 6th President and CEO. He has been a proud Calgarian since 2017, bringing extensive knowledge to Bow Valley College and the Calgary community. He has a breadth of experience across the Canadian post-secondary sector and internationally.
Before joining Bow Valley College, Misheck was the Dean of Media, Trades, and Technology at Niagara College. His professional experiences include designing experimental facilities and managing research and development projects at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, and teaching and research at several post-secondary institutions, including the University of Zambia, Eindhoven University of Technology, Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and Algonquin College.
Misheck's academic journey started as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Zambia. After achieving a Master's and Ph.D., he arrived in Canada in 2003 for a postdoctoral fellowship at Carleton University. After working at Atomic Energy of Canada as a mechanical R&D engineer, he embarked on building a career in post-secondary education, first as a chair of Mechanical & Transportation Technology at Algonquin College. In 2017, he moved west to Alberta, first as Vice-President of Academic at Bow Valley College, before being appointed President and CEO in November 2020.
In January 2023, Misheck was appointed to a three-year term on the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Vertigo Theatre Board of Directors, a director of the Windmill Microlending board, and serves as a council member of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). He was previously the chair of the Alberta Comprehensive Community College Presidents and other board experience also includes Vice-Chairing the Niagara Industrial Association; Chairing the Council of Deans of Trades and Apprenticeship Canada; Vice-Chair of the Pembroke Regional Hospital Board; Member of the Arnprior Regional Health Board; and Council Member of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists.
In 2022, Dr. Mwaba was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and an Alberta Newcomer Recognition Award.
