UCP add post-secondary seats in Calgary, targeting 'high-demand' programs
The targeted enrolment funding will apply to 28 programs across six post-secondaries: the U of C, SAIT, MRU, Bow Valley College, Ambrose University and St. Mary's University
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An $84.6-million investment from the provincial government will fund high-demand programs at six Calgary post-secondary institutions.
The funding, announced by the UCP government alongside local university and college leaders Monday, aims to create 3,000 new seats in fields like health care, aviation and quantum computing — something they say will bolster the labour market for those growing industries.
“Creating opportunities in post-secondary education is critical. It opens new doors for individuals, for families, helps them to aspire and reach new heights, and as well helps to strengthen our broader economy,” Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides said at a Monday news conference at Mount Royal University.
“Employers across the province are concerned about not being able to hire the staff that they need. In addition, students need to feel confident they will be accepted into their accepted post-secondary program in their community.”
The targeted enrolment funding will apply to 28 programs across six post-secondaries: the University of Calgary, SAIT, MRU, Bow Valley College, Ambrose University and St. Mary’s University.
The bulk of the funding will go to the U of C, with $61 million creating more than 1,300 new spaces in programs including software engineering, commerce and rural nursing. That number includes a previously announced $8.4 million for the school’s veterinary medicine faculty.
The funding injection will allow Calgary’s post-secondary system to graduate more students, said U of C president Ed McCauley.
“These new seats come at a very critical time because demand for post-secondary spaces was particularly high across Calgary at all of our institutions,” McCauley said.
SAIT’s cut of the funds totals $10.8 million, going toward business administration, aviation and film production programs, while MRU’s $7.9 million targets business and computer science degrees.
“Currently, we are not able to accommodate the number of qualified applicants to these programs,” said MRU interim provost Elizabeth Evans.
“Access to post-secondary education is key to Alberta’s economic future as our universities prepare graduates for success in a new economy and to engage as citizens in a world dependent on deep and critical thinkers.”
The remaining funding sees $4.6 million directed to Bow Valley College, $198,000 to Ambrose University and $148,000 to St. Mary’s University.
Programs receiving funding will be able to increase their enrolment beginning this fall, the UCP said.
The Opposition NDP criticized the announcement, slamming the UCP government for previous budget cuts to advanced education, as well as approved exceptional tuition hikes at some institutions.
“The UCP is scrambling due to the problems their $690-million post-secondary budget cuts have caused. Albertans cannot trust what this government will do or say from one day to the next,” NDP advanced education critic David Eggen said in a news release.
Twitter: @jasonfherring
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