Ministry of Training/Ministère de la Formation
Colleges and Universities/et des Collèges et Universités
For Immediate Release February 10, 2003
TORONTO – The Ernie Eves government is providing students with more choices in postsecondary education by giving four colleges approval to further diversify their mix of programs, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Dianne Cunningham announced today.
“Our colleges have demonstrated their ability to deliver new high quality programs that prepare students for highly skilled jobs in today’s economy,” said Cunningham. “By allowing more choice among colleges, we are helping them build on their success and respond to employers’ needs for advanced training.”
As part of their planned diversification, three of the colleges will be known as Institutes of Technology and Advanced Learning (ITALs) and will offer more applied degrees as part of this programming mix than other colleges. Their names will be:
- Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning;
- Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning; and
- Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.
Georgian College will expand its existing partnerships with universities to establish an Institute of University Partnerships and Advanced Studies. This specialized division within the college will partner with a number of universities to bring degree-level learning to the local community, building on existing opportunities for diploma and certificate programming in the Barrie region.
“To be globally competitive, Ontario needs to constantly reassess the educational choices we provide to our students,” said Cunningham. “In announcing differentiation for four colleges today, we are building on the strength of our college system. All colleges of applied arts and technology, including ITALs and Georgian College, will continue to be key players in the government’s strategy for skills and learning.”
“Conestoga is a leader in the provincial college system,” said John Tibbits, president of Conestoga College. “We have a record of exceptional programming and academic excellence, and a reputation for outstanding service, both to our student body and the local area. The ITAL designation reflects this success and enables us to continue to meet this community's unique education and training needs.”
The government has approved these approaches to provide more choices and anticipates that other colleges may respond in the future with approaches that make sense for those colleges and their communities.
The approval for increased specialization
at colleges follows a highly successful pilot program in 2002 where Cunningham
approved 34 applied degree programs at 18 colleges to offer students a
wider range of choices for postsecondary education.
Media Contacts:
| Dave Ross Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (416) 325-2709 |
Andrew Benett Minister's Office (416) 326-5748 |
For more information visit www.edu.gov.on.ca