The pre-budget submission prepared by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) for the provincial government provides a vision for advancing higher education that underpins the province’s fundamental issues such as employment, productivity and economic recovery.
The submission, Advancing University Education for the Benefit of Ontarians, uses the postsecondary sector’s achievements over the past five years as a springboard for future recommendations. COU’s recommendations centre on making sure our universities have the capacity to provide our students with an education they need and want and in doing so, to ensure that Ontario has a highly educated workforce to compete on a global scale.
“Our universities educate students for the changing workforce as well as conduct research that contributes to the productiveness of all sectors of our economy and society,” says Bonnie M. Patterson, COU and President of CEO. “Our competitive edge comes from an increasingly educated population and enhanced innovation capacity, to which higher education contributes.”
Some recommendations included in the submission are: planning and funding to support the steady growth in student enrolment; enhancements in quality so universities can provide students with the necessary skills and experience needed in a changing work environment; and expanded learning options through online education and new credit transfer systems within the sector.
Over the past decade, there has been a 49 per cent increase in applicants for university and demand continues to increase, which demonstrates that higher education continues to be highly valued.
“Ongoing government investments in our universities allow us to continue to find innovative ways to give Ontario students the best education possible as university populations continue to grow,” says Patterson.
Read the 2011 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission here >
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For further information please contact:
Jennifer Grass
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs
416-979-2165 x261
Cell: 416-707-6787
jgrass@cou.on.ca
Bonnie M. Patterson
President and CEO
416-979-2165 x256
bpatterson@cou.on.ca
