Renewed Funding for Atlantic Regional Training Centre
The Atlantic Regional Training Centre (ARTC) is breaking ground in Atlantic Canada in terms of health services research. The ARTC offers a Master's degree in Applied Health Services Research that is the first degree of its kind in Canada. After four years of programming, funding for the ARTC has been renewed, without condition, for the remaining six years of the program. The renewed funding was based on the results of a review by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF).
The ARTC is a partnership of the four Atlantic provinces and their four major universities: the University of Prince Edward Island, Dalhousie University, the University of New Brunswick, and Memorial University of Newfoundland. The Centre aims to develop a critical mass of health service researchers who will conduct applied health services research throughout Atlantic Canada.
Dr. Vianne Timmons, Vice-President of Academic Development at UPEI and one of the Principal Investigators of the ARTC, points out that the work of the ARTC benefits Prince Edward Island. "Our healthcare system needs local researchers to study cost-effective and efficient methods of healthcare delivery," she says. "There is a critical need for more health and policy researchers in this province. The ARTC can fill this need."
The Canadian Health Services Research Foundation reviewers were impressed with the structure and organization of the ARTC and its accomplishments: "It has established a free-standing, joint graduate program across four universities and four provinces. The ARTC can serve as a model of interprovincial collaboration not only in higher education, but in other fields as well. . . . the ARTC manifests a remarkable synergy among all its elements. The Centre possessed an all-too-rare upbeat and constructive tone making interactions with it a very positive experience."
Vianne Timmons is delighted with the announcement. "The funding renewal granted by CHSRF allows the Centre to continue offering a highly regarded program. UPEI is pleased to be a partner in this endeavour."
