New $50-million investment into Ontario's colleges will strengthen programs for students
TORONTO, April 3, 2017 /CNW/ - The Ontario government's announcement today of $50 million in one-time capital grants for Ontario's colleges will strengthen the quality of post-secondary programs provided to students.
"This is a huge investment in the future success of college students throughout the province," said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. "It reinforces the pivotal role that colleges will play in producing a more qualified and highly skilled workforce in this new age of accelerating automation."
Advanced Education and Skills Development Minister Deb Matthews announced today the government is providing a $48-million, one-time capital grant to support projects that provide students with high-quality learning environments and tools. The funding may be used to purchase or renew instructional equipment and technology, or to modernize existing campuses, including classrooms and laboratories.
The minister also announced a one-time capital grant of $2 million to support the Northern Colleges Collaborative Programming project. This funding is for the purchase of equipment or software that supports the delivery of collaborative programming.
"The funding announced today will ensure colleges remain at the leading-edge of new innovations and technological breakthroughs," said Fred Gibbons, the president of Northern College and chair of Colleges Ontario. "It will help more students acquire the professional and technical qualifications to pursue rewarding careers."
The announcement today came at the start of Colleges Week in Ontario. The minister made the announcement to help commemorate Ontario's celebration this year of the 50th anniversary of the province's colleges.
"Ontario's colleges have grown and evolved in phenomenal ways," said Don Lovisa, the president of Durham College and chair of the college sector's 50th anniversary task force. "This new funding will help us build on that great legacy and ensure Ontario remains at the forefront of career-focused post-secondary education."
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SOURCE Colleges Ontario
Amy Dickson, Manager, Media Relations and Communications, Colleges Ontario, 647-258-7686, [email protected]
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