TORONTO, March 25, 2010 -- York University President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri is applauding the Ontario government for its recognition of, and investment in, the province’s postsecondary education sector as a major economic driver of ideas, products and jobs.

In presenting his 2010 provincial budget, Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan announced the government will spend $310 million to create 20,000 new university and college spaces.

“This investment is excellent news, particularly within the current fiscal situation, because it will help create an even better-educated workforce that is well positioned to answer the province’s future needs in both the knowledge and employment sectors,” said Shoukri.

“Premier Dalton McGuinty has said he believes that 70 per cent of new jobs will require postsecondary education,” said Shoukri. “York University looks forward to playing a major role in accommodating more students in higher education in order to meet the needs of our future economy.”

York supports the government’s commitment to increase enrolment of international students by 50 percent, while ensuring that all qualified Ontarians have a place to study. York’s student population includes many international students and the University offers a wide range of international exchanges, research, and collaboration opportunities. 

The creation of the Ontario Online Institute is in keeping with York’s plans to increase online learning opportunities. York wants to expand its ability to teach and share knowledge. 

The Ontario government’s support for credit transfer is good news for students who want to earn degrees that combine academic achievement at university with applied skills acquired at college. The Seneca@York partnership has been very successful, and demand for this type of degree is growing. 

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 Faculties and 28 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

Contact:

Keith Marnoch, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22091, marnoch@yorku.ca