Conestoga news

A national study done by Larry Smith of the University of Waterloo and Essential Economics Corporation identifies the unique value to Canada of the nation's eight polytechnic institutes, but at the same time warns that without strong, long-term government investment in the sector, Canada runs the risk of losing the ability to compete against large, emerging nations such as China and India.

The report, titled Building Canada's Competitive Strength: The Role of Canada’s Polytechnics, was released today by Polytechnics Canada, a national organization of eight highly respected and internationally recognized colleges in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Kitchener - the association includes among its members Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.

The study (available at www.polytechnicscanada.ca) notes that Canada's prosperity is built on exports and education, and says that if the country is to prosper, it must increase both the quantity and the quality of its post-secondary graduates, especially in the advanced technological and business sectors, areas in which the members of Polytechnics Canada excel.

“There is no question that skills education and applied research are essential to Canada's well being and global viability,” says Conestoga President John Tibbits.

Governments need to step forward and make a major commitment to education and research that covers the full range of essential economic sectors and the entire scope of skills education levels, from entry-level to postgraduate,” he adds. “Growth is imperative for Canada's economic survival.

Polytechnics Canada Executive Director Sharon Maloney, in releasing the Smith report, calls on the federal government to make two strategic investments to support advanced applied education and research:

An investment of at least $1.5 billion over two years into state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure integral to providing advanced applied education to students, adult learners and corporate trainees, and

$150 million annually for applied research leading to commercialization focused on creating industrial, commercial and economic benefits for Canadians.

“There is a direct link between what the study says Canada needs and what our members are offering to over 500,000 Canadians each year,” Maloney says.

“Our competitors, including India, China and Ireland, have used education strategically to create their competitive advantage. With our limited population base, we need to play the game very well, applying our focus and resources as carefully and precisely as possible. This is a national issue that requires leadership from the federal government.”

CONTACT: Sharon Maloney, Polytechnics Canada, 416-949-2588


BACKGROUNDER

Conestoga and Polytechnics Canada

Conestoga is one of eight members of Polytechnics Canada. The other institutions are: British Columbia Institute of Technology, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, SAIT Polytechnic, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, George Brown College and Seneca College.

Polytechnic education is career-focused applied education that spans trades through to advanced degrees, delivered in an environment where students receive hands-on training that enables them to more readily apply their skills.

All polytechnics offer:

Four-year applied bachelor's degrees

Joint bachelor's degrees with universities

Three-year advanced diplomas

Two-year diplomas

Apprenticeship programs

Postgraduate certificates

Continuing education programs

Post-secondary certificate programs

Specialized corporate and government training

Online learning and distance education.

The advantage of polytechnics is in their three-pillared approach: strength in academic offerings, strength in industry connections and strength in applied research.

Applied research provides students with practical learning situations and produces outcomes that further economic success and employment opportunities.

Examples of applied research in progress at Conestoga include:

Time and temperature study of plastic-injected moulded part manufacturing
systems to improve cost and environmental savings

Creation of the first-ever automated process for the manufacture of
gloves for the industrial, commercial and tourist markets

Enhancement of the ability to design healthy buildings, through use
of specialized computer equipment and programs as well as lab and field
test equipment that will more accurately predict the service life of
building materials and components.