For Immediate Release September 21, 2006
MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY
KINGSTON – More than 966 new spaces for graduate students are being created by 2007-08 at Queen’s University, MPP John Gerretsen announced today on behalf of Chris Bentley, Minister of Training Colleges and Universities.
“This is part of our government’s plan to boost the number of graduate students in Ontario universities like Queen’s in order to bolster economic growth, spur innovation and create a competitive advantage for the Kingston community and our province,” said Gerretsen. “Our goal is to develop the science and technology professionals, the innovative thinkers and researchers, who will drive our economic competitiveness in the future.”
Through the Reaching Higher plan, the McGuinty government will add 12,000 graduate student spaces by 2007-08 and 14,000 by 2009-10, a 55 per cent increase over 2002-03 levels. The government is providing $240 million in operating funding over the next two years to support the addition of new graduate students.
The McGuinty government will also fund $550 million in investments at Ontario universities over the next five years to support the construction of facilities to accommodate the additional students.
Providing more access to graduate education is the latest way the McGuinty government is working to provide opportunity for Ontario’s students. Other initiatives include:
Doubling our investment in student aid to help more families with the cost of higher education; enhancements in student aid will benefit 145,000 students this year. Establishing the new arm’s-length Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario to support continued quality improvement in postsecondary education, monitor the student access guarantee, and provide greater accountability at colleges and universities. Expanding the number of first-year medical education spaces by 23 per cent and establishing new medical school campuses in Kitchener-Waterloo, Mississauga, St. Catharines and Windsor. Providing increased funding to Ontario’s colleges and universities to hire new faculty and staff and increase student/faculty interaction. Improving student services and access to enhanced libraries, laboratories and equipment for hands-on learning.
Under the Reaching Higher Plan, the Ontario government is making an historic $6.2 billion multi-year investment to support postsecondary education – the largest in 40 years – to create more opportunities for Ontarians to succeed.
“Our government is proud to support the growth to meet anticipated student demand for graduate education while ensuring excellence in these programs,” said Bentley. “Our goal is to ensure our colleges and universities achieve the highest standards in teaching and research, resulting in the skills and innovation that will create new jobs and support economic growth.”
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