The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) welcomed today’s Ontario budget with its announcement of $200 million for university facilities renewal and its commitment of $250 million over the next five years for investment in research infrastructure. Together these investments represent a major boost to “the knowledge infrastructure” of the Ontario economy.
“This is just another example of the leadership of the Ontario government in advancing higher education,” said Dr. Peter George, Chair of COU and President of McMaster University. “Today’s investments, together with previously announced campus renewal and capital funding, will ensure that Ontario universities have the modern facilities to educate students and conduct research.”
The government’s focus on building a stronger economy for all Ontarians through initiatives around skills, jobs and strategic support for the manufacturing sector is also seen as beneficial by the university sector.
“Ontario universities are partners in creating economic opportunities by educating over 355,000 undergraduate and graduate students annually, over 44 % of Canada’s total,” said Dr. Paul C. Genest, President of COU. “We cultivate their capabilities to succeed in the knowledge economy, and create the innovations that drive new products, services and job creation in this province, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
Throughout the province, universities work with companies on a wide range of manufacturing initiatives that continue to help them gain a competitive advantage. Research and development partnerships between industry and universities include finding ways to create new lighter weight materials for cars, increasing the volume of plant materials in furniture, creating appliances that run on alternative fuels and developing the next generation of wireless systems.
“Ontario universities benefited from the $6.2 billion Reaching Higher plan in the last mandate and are appreciative of the sustained focus the government has brought to advancing higher education, exemplified by previous investments of $135 million in campus renewal and over $200 million in capital, as well as investments in student aid, grants for technology and distance learners.
“We look forward to working with the Ontario government to address the operating funding gap that impacts the quality and sustainability of our universities,” said Dr. Genest. “Operating costs continue to rise faster than operating grants and student faculty ratios are higher than desired for optimal engagement between students and faculty.”
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For more information, contact:
Dr. Paul C. Genest
President, COU
416-616-7231
For Dr. Peter George:
Andrea Farquhar
905-515-7075
