Ontario Colleges and Universities Get Major Funding Boost

The province will invest $242 million into upgrading learning tools and facilities.

Ontario’s post-secondary institutions are set to receive increased funding from the provincial government.

Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Nolan Quinn visited Queen’s University in Kingston on Tuesday to share that the Ford government is putting $242 million towards improving learning tools and facilities.

Quinn mentions that this funding is aimed at enhancing the pool of skilled workers in health care, trades, education, and other vital sectors.

 

Here’s how the $242 million will be allocated:

• $209.3 million through the Facilities Renewal Program for publicly funded colleges and universities to complete maintenance, repairs and upgrades to existing facilities
• $21.6 million through the College Equipment and Renewal Fund for colleges to buy and renew instructional equipment and learning resources
• $10.8 million through the Training Equipment and Renewal Fund for universities to renew and buy modern, state-of-the-art equipment and learning resources

Quinn states that this will enable Ontario’s colleges and universities to enroll more students in these programs.

 

He adds that Ontario continues facing economic instability threats, making it crucial to have a highly-skilled workforce to safeguard these industries.

Queen’s will utilize their portion of the funding for immersive simulation equipment and infrastructure aimed at training doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals. This includes high-fidelity mannikins, task trainers, along with upgraded AV systems that enhance remote access as well as asynchronous course content delivery.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane notes that health care students will better acquire essential skills needed for delivering excellent care.

 

Deane further mentions that this funding will reinforce Queen’s reputation in developing new physicians alongside pioneering medical research.

 

Story by Ken Hashizume

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