UPEI President: federal budget places priority on post-secondary education
UPEI President and Vice Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz echoes the sentiments of Universities Canada by endorsing the federal budget that was tabled by the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance in the House of Commons on March 22.
“UPEI thanks the federal government for placing a priority on post-secondary education in this budget,” says President Abd-El-Aziz. “The federal government’s investment in infrastructure, research, indigenous education, co-operative education, and student financial aid will help universities across the country provide students with access to innovative discovery spaces where they can develop the skills to be ready for the future and contribute to the long-term prosperity of our country.”
Universities Canada is a membership organization that is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, and represents the interests of 97 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities.
In a statement issued yesterday, Universities Canada President Paul Davidson said, “Today’s budget shows that this government understands that universities empower Canadians and empower communities.”
Read the Universities Canada news release
President Abd-El-Aziz adds, “UPEI is an economic driver through our research agenda and by providing students with experiential opportunities that allow them to develop to their full potential in the classroom and community. We are so excited to be a part of the federal government’s plan and are ready to respond to a call for proposals and to initiate projects.”
Budget Highlights for Post-Secondary Education
• Two billion dollars invested over three years in a new “Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund” with 50 per cent of eligible costs covered by the federal government
• Additional investments of $95 million per year, starting in 2016–17, made on an ongoing basis to the research granting councils: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Research Support Fund
• $800 million over four years, starting in 2017–18, to support innovation networks and clusters as part of the government’s upcoming Innovation Agenda
• $73 million allocated over four years, beginning in 2016, for the Post-Secondary Industry Partnership and Cooperative Placement Initiative
• All existing Canada Student Grants to increase in value by 50% at a cost of $1.53 billion, eligibility for the Canada Student Grants program expanded to more middle-income students at an additional cost of $790 million, over four years.
