Ontario marks 50th anniversary of college system with commemorative investment at Centennial College
TORONTO, April 7, 2017 /CNW/ - In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ontario's college system, the province declared April 3 to 9, 2017, as Colleges Week and is making a new investment in each of Ontario's 24 publicly assisted colleges to enhance the student experience.
Ontario is providing $2,250,400 to help Centennial College deliver high-quality education that will give students the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow. The Honourable Mitzie Hunter, MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood, made the announcement at Centennial's Ashtonbee Campus in Scarborough today.
The funding will be used by Centennial to invest in new technology, equipment and learning spaces that will enhance the student experience. Investing in postsecondary infrastructure is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
"This investment will provide college students at Centennial College with state-of-the-art materials including specialized software for teaching, new lab and shop equipment and technology to modernize existing classrooms and labs, that will ensure they have the right skills for a knowledge and technology-driven economy."
— Hon. Mitzie Hunter, MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood
"Our government commemorates the growth and evolution of Ontario's college system, launched by Bill Davis, 50 years ago and the tremendous contribution they have made to our province's economic growth and vitality. This $50-million investment will provide our students with access to leading-edge equipment and labs that will ensure they have the right skills for a knowledge and technology-driven economy."
— Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Digital Government
"We're delighted to receive this special investment to help enhance our learning environment at Centennial. This new capital will allow us to develop a renewable energy 'micro grid' that will connect the college's clean energy assets, including our solar-powered electric vehicle recharging station. It's a unique project that will give us a stake in an emerging technology for our students to work on."
— Ann Buller, President and CEO, Centennial College
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario is investing $48 million in capital funding for new equipment and learning resources and $2 million in the Northern Colleges Collaboration – a total of $50 million to mark the 50th anniversary.
- In September 2016, Colleges Ontario launched the Start of Something Amazing, a 15-month celebration of the college system's 50th anniversary.
- In 2015-16, about 84 per cent of Ontario college graduates found work within six months of graduating.
- About 220,000 students are enrolled full time at Ontario's 24 publicly assisted colleges.
LEARN MORE
SOURCE Centennial College
Media contact: Mark Toljagic, Communications Officer, Centennial College, 416-605-6012 or 416-289-5000, ext. 7142, [email protected]
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