Concordia encouraged by Quebec's university funding plan
In its 2011-12 budget, introduced on March 17, 2011, the Quebec government unveiled a six-year plan to narrow the wide funding gap between Quebec universities and their Canadian counterparts, while taking steps to ensure that university education remains accessible to low-income students.
“This plan represents an important step in bridging the funding gap and reinvesting in Quebec’s universities,” says President Fred Lowy. “Increased, predictable funding will help Quebec universities offer high-quality education and research while providing students, faculty and staff with the resources they need to succeed.”
Over the course of the Quebec University Funding Plan, the government is planning a $320 million increase in base funding for universities and another $530 million in additional resources. Funding increases will begin gradually in 2012-13 and continue to 2016-17.
It is noteworthy that all stakeholders, including students and the business sector, are being called on to contribute to the funding plan. It has incentives to encourage universities to increase the level of donations they solicit from both corporations and individuals.
The plan also includes new measures to help those students most in financial need.
The government estimates that $118 million, or more than one-third of the revenue from the tuition fee increases, will be returned to students, largely in the form of bursaries.
“For Concordia, the plan means that we can increase our investment in teaching and learning, and strengthen our research efforts,” says Lowy. “We congratulate the government for emphasizing accessibility to university education through major improvements to its loans and bursaries programs and other measures that benefit students in need.”
Related link:
• Quebec 2011-12 budget