News and commentary

OTTAWA – Today Canada’s universities launched a new online tool to provide Aboriginal students with better access to information on programs and services on campuses across Canada. The comprehensive, searchable database of resources designed to meet the needs of Aboriginal students was developed by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

Prospective students and their families can use the tool to find information on the 286 different academic programs designed for Aboriginal students and other helpful resources available at Canadian universities, such as financial assistance, housing, cultural activities, counselling, availability of Elders, gathering spaces and mentoring.

Aboriginal youth are one of the fastest growing segments of the Canadian population. There are more than 560,000 Aboriginals under the age of 25 across Canada, yet the university completion rate for the Aboriginal population overall is eight percent — a third of the national average.

“The education gap in this country is large and growing. This needs to change,” said AUCC President Paul Davidson. “Canada’s universities recognize this and have significantly boosted the culturally relevant curricula, support programs and financial aid available to Aboriginal students. With this database, it’s easier than ever to locate and access these services.”

This new online resource is part of universities’ ongoing efforts to improve access to university for Aboriginal students and help them achieve success in higher education. Fifty-five institutions now have gathering spaces for Aboriginal students, and more than 60 organize social and cultural activities. In addition to supports on campus, many universities have successful outreach programs in Aboriginal communities, providing educational support and mentoring opportunities to students starting as early as the elementary level.

“I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the AUCC for creating an online directory to assist students in finding and accessing the programs and services that are reflective of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit languages and cultures, as well as those resources that will assist them in the achievement of their university goals,” said Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in Canada.

The web-based directory is an enhanced update of a print version that AUCC produced in 2006 and 2010. It will be regularly updated to reflect new and enhanced services for Aboriginal students at Canada’s universities. The database complements information in the Directory of Canadian Universities, published every year by AUCC.

Aboriginal education is an ongoing priority for Canada’s universities. AUCC’s 2013 pre-budget submission to the federal government calls for increased postsecondary scholarships for Aboriginal students, with funding to be matched by the private sector. AUCC has also undertaken significant steps in recent years to help universities identify, develop and share ideas on best practices for services aimed at Aboriginal youth.

The new directory of programs and services for Aboriginal students can be found here: www.aucc.ca/Aboriginal-directory.

AUCC is the national voice of Canada’s universities, representing 95 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities.

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Media Contacts

Helen Murphy
Communications Manager
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
hmurphy@aucc.ca
613-563-1236 ext. 238

Nadine Robitaille
AUCC Communications Officer
nrobitaille@aucc.ca
613-563-3961 ext. 306

OTTAWA — The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada congratulates National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo on his re-election at the 33rd annual general assembly of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).

A hereditary chief of British Columbia’s Ahousaht First Nation, National Chief Atleo was first elected chief of the AFN in 2009, and since then has worked to advance the economic conditions and educational opportunities available for Aboriginals in Canada.

“National Chief Atleo has demonstrated inspired leadership in addressing educational issues among Aboriginal youth — the fastest-growing demographic in Canada,” says Christine Tausig Ford, vice-president of AUCC. “Canada’s universities have worked in close partnership with National Chief Atleo and the AFN to enhance university programs and services for Aboriginals in Canada. We look forward to continuing to work with him and the AFN in this critical area.”

National Chief Atleo, who holds a master’s degree in education and is chancellor of Vancouver Island University, has made Aboriginal youth a key priority during his three years as national chief.

There are more than 560,000 Aboriginals under the age of 24 across Canada, yet the university completion rate for the Aboriginal population overall is 8 percent — a third of the national average. Canada’s universities are striving to address the gap through the development of new campus facilities and programs to support Aboriginal students, and to create initiatives to encourage Aboriginal children, youth and their parents to consider university as a possibility.

“As a society, we all need to work together to help fully engage Aboriginal youth in higher education,” says Ms. Tausig Ford “Not only is it the right thing to do, but our labour market needs the talents of university-educated Aboriginals in Canada.”

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For more information or interview opportunities:

Brad Mackay
Communications Officer
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Telephone: 613-563-1236 ext. 306
Email: bmackay@aucc.ca

OTTAWA – As the rich and diverse cultures of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples are celebrated today, National Aboriginal Day is also an appropriate time to reflect on the potential of young Aboriginal Canadians, and the role higher education can play in helping them achieve that potential.

“With a significant demographic shift already under way, we need to make sure all our young people are equipped for their role in a different kind of Canada,” says Paul Davidson, president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. “We need to do a better job of preparing Canada’s future workforce – especially Aboriginal young people – to meet the challenges of an innovative and global economy and society.”

Aboriginal youth is the fastest-growing segment of the Canadian population. There are almost half a million Aboriginal people under the age of 20, yet their university attainment is just one-third the national average. The education gap in this country is large and growing. Canada’s universities are working with the Assembly of First Nations, Indspire Canada and others to help close the gap.

“Real change will come about when governments, Aboriginal communities and partners in education come together to make the investments and bold changes we know are needed to get meaningful results,” says Mr. Davidson. “The urgent need of today is to fully engage Aboriginal youth in the Canada of tomorrow. If we achieve that – and we must – we will address changing labour market needs, build prosperity and enhance quality of life for all Canadians.

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For more information or interview opportunities:

Helen Murphy
Communications Manager
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
hmurphy@aucc.ca
613-563-1236 ext. 238

OTTAWA – Canada’s universities welcome the smart, strategic investments in research and innovation contained in today’s federal budget.

“In the face of tough fiscal choices, the government showed leadership by continuing its investments in research, innovation, research infrastructure and university-private sector collaborations,” says Stephen Toope, chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada’s board of directors and president of the University of British Columbia. “These investments will build a stronger future for our society and economy.”

In a climate where some federal government departments are seeing reductions, the federal budget provides ongoing funding for research and innovation through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council to enhance their support of industry-academic research partnership programs. These investments will preserve current levels of basic research and scholarships funding, securing Canada’s position as a global leader in research and discovery.

An additional $500 million over five years for the Canada Foundation for Innovation reflects the importance that high-quality research infrastructure plays in attracting and retaining top students and researchers from around the world. In addition, the budget includes measures to give graduate students valuable research experience in the private sector – an initiative called for by AUCC.

Other strategic investments in research and higher education include:

• $60 million for Genome Canada to launch a new applied research competition in the area of human health, and to sustain the Science and Technology Centres until 2014–15,
• $40 million over two years to support CANARIE’s operation of Canada’s ultra-high speed research network,
• $6.5 million over three years for a research project at McMaster University to evaluate team-based approaches to health care delivery,
• $17 million over two years to further advance the development of alternatives to existing isotope production technologies, and
•  $10 million over two years to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research to link Canadians to global research networks.

“The budget provides new opportunities for talented graduate students to gain research experiences in companies across Canada,” says AUCC president Paul Davidson. “We’re also pleased the budget recognizes the importance of deepening international education and research linkages.”

The government is also investing in knowledge transfer and commercialization with $24 million over two years and $12 million per year thereafter to make the Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence program permanent. This initiative supports research on business priorities by teams of private-sector researchers and academics.

In addition, the budget contains funding to improve educational outcomes for Canada’s Aboriginal people, including $275 million to support First Nations education on reserve. This is a shared priority, and Canada’s universities will continue to work with Aboriginal organizations, the Government of Canada and private sector partners to ensure that our growing population of Aboriginal youth has access to high quality postsecondary experiences.

AUCC is the national voice of Canada’s universities, representing 95 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities.

Watch the video of Paul Davidson’s response to budget 2012 »

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For interviews and information, please contact:

Helen Murphy
Manager, Communications
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
613.563.1236, ext. 238
Cell: 613.608.8749
hmurphy@aucc.ca

Mélanie Béchard
Communications Officer
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Tel: 613.563.3961, ext. 306
Cell: 613.884.8401
mbechard@aucc.ca

OTTAWA – Canada’s university presidents are encouraged by yesterday’s dialogue between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Canada’s First Nations’ chiefs. The Crown-First Nations Gathering highlighted the shared view that Aboriginal education must be a cornerstone of future initiatives aimed at improving quality of life for Canada’s First Nations people.

“Few things are as transformational for a society as bold and visionary educational reform,” says Paul Davidson, president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. “Canada’s universities are ready to play a meaningful role in improving Aboriginal education at all levels, and thereby enhancing the prospects of Canada’s growing population of young Aboriginal Canadians.

“The education gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians is large and growing – a trend that must be reversed,” says Davidson. “There are almost half a million Aboriginal people under the age of 20, yet their university attainment is just one-third the national average.”

Efforts aimed at improving the educational experience of Aboriginal students are already taking place at Canada’s universities. Many universities have robust and successful outreach programs in Aboriginal communities, providing educational support and mentoring opportunities to students starting as early as the elementary level. Universities are also strengthening student supports and developing curricula that are relevant to Aboriginals’ life experiences.

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For more information or interview opportunities:

Helen Murphy
AUCC Communications Manager
hmurphy@aucc.ca
613-563-1236 ext. 238