Top Ten
June 21, 2011
Ontario announces capital funding for UTM, York U, Ryerson, Sheridan
The Ontario government continues to roll out capital investments in provincial post-secondary institutions. In addition to funding announced for Wilfrid Laurier University and Georgian College, the province stated Monday it will invest $52.5 million to renovate the University of Toronto's Mississauga campus, as well as $50 million for a new engineering and science building at York University. The government announced yesterday $56.4 million for a new applied health sciences facility at Ryerson University, and $60 million to help Sheridan College expand its new Mississauga campus. Ontario News Release (UTM) | Ontario News Release (York U) | Ontario News Release (Ryerson) | Ontario News Release (Sheridan)
Ontario MTCU receives 292 complaints
According to the Ontario ombudsman's annual report, released yesterday, the province's Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities had a total of 292 complaints in the last fiscal year. Of those complaints, 99 were about OSAP, 71 related to colleges, and 68 were about apprenticeships/work training. The report notes that universities, which fall outside the ombudsman's jurisdiction, were the subject of 39 complaints, including allegations of poor service, inadequate handling of complaints, problematic program requirements and practices, and student suspensions. Read the report
StatsCan releases fact sheet on PSE spending
According to a new fact sheet from Statistics Canada, about one-third of households reported expenditures on education in 2009, and 17% said they had incurred costs for PSE tuition. For the 2008-09 academic year, average tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate students were $4,747 and $5,737, respectively. University revenues from public sources represented about 61% of total university revenues for the 2008-09 school year. The remaining 39% came from private sources, and over half of this portion (22%) was from tuition and other student fees. In 2008-09, the proportions of public funding for PSE revenues ranged from 49% in Nova Scotia to 72% in Alberta. Statistics Canada Fact Sheet
High school grades strong determinant of university persistence
New research commissioned by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario observes that the most powerful indicator of persistence and academic success in university is the strength of a student's secondary school grades. The report finds that characteristics such as gender and chosen program are significantly weaker indicators of academic success and persistence, and that larger socio-economic issues are also weak predictors of success. The report suggests a number of factors, such as income and parental education, could be common to success at both the secondary school and university level. Research Summary
Centennial, Durham College to operate learning centre in Pickering
On Monday Durham College and Centennial College announced a partnership in establishing a joint learning centre in downtown Pickering, Ontario. The 2-storey facility will offer graduate certificate and continuing education programs for the fall 2012 term. With a direct connection to the Pickering GO station, the colleges hope to attract students from the Durham Region and neighbouring GTA municipalities. The joint venture represents the first-ever public PSE presence in Pickering's 200-year history. City of Pickering News Release
More Saskatchewan students taking out loans
More students in Saskatchewan are accessing financial aid, the Saskatchewan government stated Monday. The province has seen a 14% year-over-year increase in the number of students enrolled for financial assistance -- up to 12,000 so far this year. The government has kicked off the second year of a province-wide marketing campaign to tout the benefits of student loans. The initiative includes 10 face-to-face community events, online advertising, and a redesigned website with an emphasis on improved navigation to access information on student aid. Saskatchewan's 2011-12 budget allocates more than $90 million in support for student financial assistance programs to help make higher education accessible to more students. Saskatchewan News Release | Regina Leader-Post
SIAST opens plumber training space at Wascana campus
On Friday the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology opened new training space for plumbing apprentices at its Wascana campus in Regina. The project marks a significant expansion of training for plumbing apprentices, as beforehand all SIAST training for plumbers was conducted in Saskatoon. Supported by provincial and federal investments, the project involved refitting a multi-purpose shop to allow SIAST to offer the first 2 of 4 levels of training for plumbing apprentices in Regina. The new shop accommodates 140 apprentices annually. SIAST News Release
GPRC to tear down Anderson Hall
Grande Prairie Regional College has scheduled to demolish Anderson Hall, a 27-year-old student residence, in mid-October. Due to high maintenance costs and the need for numerous and costly renovations, GPRC's board of governors decided to tear down the dormitory. A new 359-bed residence will compensate for the rooms lost following the demolition. GPRC is exploring alternative approaches to student accommodations elsewhere on campus. For now, the removal of Anderson Hall will add green space to campus, providing more outdoor recreation space for students and the public. GPRC News | Grande Prairie Daily Herald Tribune
93% of SAIT 2010 graduates secure employment
According to the SAIT Graduate Employment Survey that polled all graduates from credit programs in the 2009-10 school year, of the 2,050 graduates seeking work, 93% were able to secure employment after completing their program. Results show 83% of graduates were employed in their chosen field within 9 months of graduation, a 12% increase over the previous year. Three-quarters of graduates remained in Calgary, and just over 90% stayed in Alberta. SAIT Polytechnic News Release
Brandon U new member of University of the Arctic
Brandon University has made a successful bid to become a member institution of the University of the Arctic, a network of universities, colleges, and organizations with a focus on higher education and research in the North. There are more than 138 members in this network, including nearly 20 Canadian institutions. This circumpolar group has developed a number of thematic networks that assemble collaborators concerned with issues such as Arctic medicine, distance and e-learning, geopolitics and security, global change, indigenous arts and crafts, and northern tourism. Brandon U News
