News and commentary

OTTAWA, August 3, 2011 – Today’s announcement of 167 new Vanier Scholars by Prime Minister Stephen Harper demonstrates the commitment of the federal government and Canada’s universities to attract the best researchers from around the world to our campuses.

“Perhaps Canada’s greatest asset during these challenging economic times is our talent,” says Paul Davidson, President of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. “Investments such as the Vanier Scholarships are bringing the best researchers and innovators to Canada, and enhancing our competitive position globally. The discoveries and innovations of these scholars and their colleagues will help build a better quality of life for Canadians and position our country as a productivity leader in the years ahead.”

Canada’s public investments in research and innovation, such as the Vanier Scholarships, have increased through the economic downturn, and the outstanding talent pool being developed by Canada’s universities is widely recognized. Canada leads the world in the growth rate of PhD degrees in the sciences, and comes second only to Sweden in the growth of doctorates in engineering – an important competitive advantage for an economy that depends on high-level skills and talent.

Launched in 2009, the Vanier Scholarships are designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students from Canada and around the world. This year, 167 Vanier scholars were announced at 26 universities, with graduate students from the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa choosing Canadian universities for their doctoral studies. Today’s announcement is valued at $25 million, bringing the total government investment in the program to $75 million.

Vanier scholars receive $50,000 annually for up to three years, and each is selected based on his or her demonstrated leadership skills and high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering or health sciences.

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For more information or interview opportunities:
Helen Murphy
Communications Manager
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Tel.: 613-563-1236, ext. 238
Email: hmurphy@aucc.ca

This op-ed was published in the Financial Post on July 5, 2011

By Paul Davidson
President
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

William Watson offers an interesting theory on Canada’s productivity challenges in Saturday’s Financial Post (“Endless folly of innovation policy,” July 2).

Yes, bright young people tend to want to make the world a better place; let’s hope they always will. But today’s young people are also very focused on their role in the new economy, on very practical things like meaningful employment and their future prospects. A recession will do that to you.

Watson was responding to Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council’s second State of the Nation report (the first was published in 2009). It’s a 76-page document that benchmarks Canada’s STI performance against international standards. When viewed as a report card, it shows that Canada is heading for Bs and Cs in innovation, despite our potential to do better. In the new global knowledge economy, that just won’t cut it.

The council’s message boils down to this: Canada has to do better — particularly in the areas of private-sector investment in R&D and collaboration with universities — if we want to be more than a “mid-level player” in global innovation.

What the council makes clear is that talent is not the problem. The report finds that the number of Canadian university graduates is increasing, and notes strong growth in the important area of doctoral degrees in science. In fact, Canada leads the world in the growth rate of PhD degrees in the sciences, and comes second only to Sweden in the growth of doctorates in engineering. That’s great news for an economy that depends on high-level skills and talent. The council warns us, however, to guard against complacency and to continue building Canada’s talent pool.

What we’re missing, the report makes clear, is a “culture of innovation” in business. R&D spending by business has been decreasing in real terms since 2006. Others have noted that Canadian private-sector investment in R&D as a share of GDP is about one-half that of the United States, one-third that of Sweden and one-quarter that of Korea. This is not how Canada becomes a global leader in innovation. The alternative to strengthening Canada’s private-sector investment in R&D is the unpalatable prospect of an underachieving economy, unrealized human potential and unsatisfactory quality of life.

Underneath the discouraging top-line indicators, there are some better performers. Eight of 16 industries in Canada invest more in R&D than the OECD average in their industry. ICT manufacturing and transport manufacturing (including aerospace) are close to the top five in R&D-intensive countries, and the paper and lumber sector exceeds the top five comparators.

The council’s report emphasizes that better engagement of the private sector in research is fundamental to Canada becoming an innovation leader. It also tells us — and Canada’s universities agree — that we need to find better ways of transferring knowledge from universities and other research centres to the marketplace.

The report highlights a range of innovative ways in which enterprises already benefit from collaborating with universities. It cites new products and exports that have grown out of university research — from improved crop varieties of peas, beans and lentils, to more efficient and safer aircraft, to revolutionary cancer treatments that reduce wait times and treatment costs.

Where universities can make a real difference for business is in working with partners to improve the transfer of knowledge to the marketplace. That’s why it’s particularly encouraging to see the report highlight the important role of internships and other exchanges in making this happen. Finding more avenues of exchange between business and universities at all levels will help build a stronger innovation culture.

There are many other ways in which our universities are helping to position Canada as a productivity leader, including their responsiveness to labour-market needs. Our universities are producing graduates with the analytical, creative-thinking and problem-solving skills needed in today’s global economy. Recent data show that since 2008, Canada’s economy has created 300,000 jobs for university graduates, compared with only 78,000 for college graduates and the loss of 433,000 jobs for those without post-secondary education.

And those graduates enjoy rewarding careers. Over their working lives, university graduates will typically earn $1.3-million more than those who only complete secondary school and $1-million more than those with college.

Canada has the talent pool to be an innovation leader. But increased collaboration to transfer knowledge to the private sector and increased private-sector investment are vital to achieving our potential as a nation.

OTTAWA, June 23, 2011 – International development experiences for Canadian university students received a major boost this month, thanks to new CIDA-funded projects administered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) through its Students for Development (SFD) program.

Thirty-seven Canadian university projects have been selected for the new SFD program. These projects will see 660 Canadian university students spend at least three months over the next four years working with 100 partner organizations abroad – including universities, NGOs and government agencies – and 100 students from overseas spending an academic term in Canada. The partner organizations are in 22 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas; 64 per cent of the projects are with partners in Africa.

“Canada’s universities are keen to provide their students with the kind of international experiences that will prepare them for leadership positions in our changing world,” says Paul Davidson, AUCC President. “At the same time, all Canadian university students will benefit from bringing students from developing and emerging nations to our campuses. This is an important step forward in the internationalization of Canada’s universities and their work in international development.”

This new SFD funding will also see students at 22 Canadian universities connect with students at overseas institutions through the use of new technologies.

Since its launch in 2005, nearly 1000 Canadian students from over three-quarters of Canada’s universities have participated in internships in developing and emerging countries through AUCC’s Students for Development (SFD) program.

Background information: 
Details on Students for Development’s new projects.
List of 2011-2015 projects
2011-2015 project profiles

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For more information or interview opportunities:
Helen Murphy
Communications Manager
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Email: hmurphy@aucc.ca
Tel.: 613-563-3961, ext. 238

by Paul Davidson
President and CEO
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

Three years ago this month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized on behalf of the government of Canada and all Canadians for the national shame of the residential school system. It was a powerfully symbolic moment. But many wondered if any concrete action would follow. Since then, a number of developments have given rise to a new sense of optimism that there can be real progress on the myriad challenges facing Canada’s Aboriginal peoples.

There have been other periods of hope – hopes that were subsequently dashed. What’s different this time?

Since the apology, there has been a growing recognition that responsibility for finding solutions lies with all of us. The tone of the national conversation has shifted from one of assigning blame and pointing fingers to one that recognizes governments, the private sector, Aboriginal communities and civil society all have contributions to make. Shawn Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, reminds us that “we are all treaty people.” And for the first time, leaders from all of these sectors are working together with a sense of common purpose.

Another encouraging note is the new willingness to embrace innovation as part of the solution. The “innovation agenda” is most often described in terms of developing new products or services to enhance productivity, but it extends to meeting the needs of Aboriginal Canadians as well. All parties are looking to new structures, approaches and models – in areas including education and health care – to achieve real results for Aboriginal Canadians.

There is also a broad consensus that closing the education gap is essential to making progress on every other issue. The Canadian government recognizes the urgent need to act: Prime Minister Stephen Harper has created an expert panel to provide advice on how to remedy this, and earlier this month Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan announced the Canada-First Nations Joint Action Plan that places education at the top of the agenda.

Canada’s universities have worked with Aboriginal leaders over the last two years to propose a series of measures that are proven to increase Aboriginal access and success. Deans of Education across the country have developed and are implementing an Accord on Indigenous Education that will increase the number of Aboriginal teachers in the classroom and Aboriginal researchers at university, as well as offering educational programs more relevant to Aboriginal people.

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada also recently completed an inventory of programs and services to support Aboriginal success on campus. It found that since 2006, universities are offering more support programs to Aboriginal students, providing more bursaries, creating more relevant curriculum and producing more Aboriginal graduates than ever before. A university degree is a gateway to hope and opportunity for Aboriginal students and their families. Many of these graduates studied in programs that Aboriginal communities need the most, such as health, education and business.

A compelling economic and demographic urgency is inspiring action. Canada is an aging society with large-scale retirements about to start. Employers are asking where they will find the people they need. In the next 15 years, more than 400,000 Aboriginal young people will reach labour-market age. Will they be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to be full participants in Canada’s prosperity?

The Centre for the Study of Living Standards estimates that closing the education gap would lead to following results in 2026: income increases of $36.5 billion; government revenue increasing by $3.5 billion; and government expenditures declining by $14.2 billion. This economic and demographic data prompted Don Drummond, former Chief Economist at TD and now at Queen’s School of Policy Studies, to convene a group of educators, policy makers and employers this month in Kingston to identify a path forward on Aboriginal education as a matter of national priority.

All present at the Kingston conference recognized that substantial new investments will be required to transform educational outcomes for Aboriginal people. And the current constellation of leadership, innovation, focus and economic urgency makes this an unprecedented opportunity to move forward.

Mary Simon, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, spoke of this unparalleled sense of direction and urgency when she released the National Inuit Education Strategy on Parliament Hill last week. Reflecting that she had been present when Prime Minister Harper offered Canada’s apology, she remarked that we are on the threshold of something truly new and different.

Perhaps Canada is now ready to cross that threshold.

Ottawa, June 16, 2011 – In a world of fragile economies, Canada and Brazil have come out strong. Now is Canada’s nanosecond of opportunity to engage with this Latin American powerhouse. Brazil will soon become the world’s fifth largest economy and the eyes of the globe will turn to the south as it plays host to the World Cup and Olympic Games in coming years.

On June 14th and 15th, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) led a two-day session on “Advancing Excellence in Strategic Engagement with Brazil”, bringing together senior delegates from more than half of Canada’s universities, their Brazilian counterparts, government representatives and other stakeholders. Canada’s universities are well-positioned to play a leading role in fostering the kinds of collaborative research and innovation that drives economic growth and strengthens relationships.

In order to accelerate Brazil-Canada links, discussions focused on the importance of research and innovation collaboration and the role of the private sector. Dr. Sara Diamond, President of the Ontario College of Art and Design University, described her university’s experience in working with Brazilian universities and entrepreneurs in the digital economy. Conference attendees expressed interest in pursuing a high-level, bilateral public-private event to further social and economic development through digital tools and content.

Additionally, the University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario and the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) announced a $200,000 investment to enhance support for bilateral research collaboration. FAPESP also expressed a keen interest to partner with other Canadian institutions. With one per cent of São Paulo state’s gross tax revenue directed toward FAPESP, its budget for research, including scholarships, fellowships and grants, was over $500 million (USD) in 2010.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff recently announced university scholarships for 75,000 Brazilian students to study abroad. Canada’s universities want to host these students.

“We have to work hard to make sure that Canada tops the list when Brazil’s best and brightest students choose an international institution,” says Paul Davidson, President of AUCC. “Succeeding at this will bring tremendous economic benefits to Canada and help build important partnerships and collaboration.”

Canada already enjoys a solid foundation on which to build; more Brazilian students choose Canada for language studies than any other foreign country. “It’s leveraging these kinds of people-to-people linkages that is going to move both countries forward,” says Davidson.

“The Brazilian Government, academic institutions and private sector are very pleased to be part of the construction of this strategic engagement with Canada and look forward to soon harvesting the fruits of the seeds we are planting,” says Brazilian Ambassador to Canada Piragibe Tarragô. The ambassador opened the conference together with Canada’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Morris Rosenberg.

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Media Contact:
Helen Murphy
Communications Manager
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Email: hmurphy@aucc.ca
Tel.: 613-563-1236, ext. 238