Ontario Universities' Fair helps students plan their academic career

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - While record numbers of students are starting their university studies this fall, increased numbers of secondary school students are also preparing to make important decisions about their university future by attending the Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF), participating in regional meetings of the University Information Program (UIP) and visiting eINFO, an online guide to Ontario universities.  

"Universities have been collaborating on initiatives that prepare students for their university decision making since 1971, when they agreed to set up the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC), now recognized worldwide as one of the largest and most successful centres for processing university applications," says Alastair Summerlee, Chair of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) and President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guelph. "The university fair, information program and eINFO are all activities organized by OUAC for the benefit of students contemplating university education."

OUF, held annually at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, is expected to attract over 120,000 students and parents, who will have the opportunity speak with Ontario university representatives about programs, extracurricular activities and campus life. This year the fair runs from Friday, Sept. 28 to Sunday, Sept. 30.

Students not able to attend OUF can still speak with university representatives when they travel the province each fall as part of UIP, interacting with students in both mini-fair and presentation-style sessions. A schedule is available on the OUF website (www.ouf.ca), where prospective students can also view a new video, produced in both English and French, titled "Ontario's Universities: World Class. Right Here." The video outlines the advantages of attending universities across the province.

As well, students can use eINFO (www.electronicinfo.ca) to search and compare programs, prerequisites and grade requirements; browse university scholarships and awards; research details about each university's residences and meal plans; and gather information about campus visit opportunities offered by all universities.

"Students and their families need and want the best information possible to make their decisions," says Bonnie M. Patterson, COU's President and CEO. "This successful university collaborative ensures that they have the most useful information from both one-on-one contact and online resources as the foundation for those decisions."

Visit the COU website at www.cou.on.ca
Visit the OUAC website at www.ouac.on.ca
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SOURCE: Council of Ontario Universities

Jennifer Grass
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs
416-979-4341 or 416-707-6787
[email protected]