Merger to Serve French Students Better
Department of Education (to March 26, 2013)
November 12, 2002 2:39 PM
Legislation was introduced today, Nov. 12, to secure the future
of French-language post-secondary education. The integration of
Université Sainte-Anne and Collège de l'Acadie means more
students will have greater access to French post-secondary
courses and programs in Nova Scotia.
The two boards of governors have agreed on a plan for merging
their operations within a year. Once legislation has been
proclaimed, the new, merged institution will be known as
Université Sainte-Anne-Collège de l'Acadie.
"We need to ensure that French-speaking Nova Scotians have access
to high-quality post-secondary education through a viable,
sustainable institution," said Education Minister Jane Purves."By
merging, the college and the university will pool their resources
and offer quality programs more efficiently."
The university and the college have developed a five-year
business plan to guide them through the merger and help the newly
formed Université Sainte-Anne-Collège de l'Acadie achieve its
goals of increased enrolment, more programs and expanding
distance education services abroad.
"We're going to build on the strengths that both institutions
have now," said Allister Surette, president of Collège de
l'Acadie. "We'll also be able to use savings from reduced
administration costs to reinvest in programs and technology."
Université Sainte-Anne is strong in undergraduate degree
programs. Collège de l'Acadie has expertise in using technology
for distance education.
"The college has the network and the technology to offer distance
education," said André Roberge, president of Université Sainte-
Anne. "Together, we can offer both university and college credits
at sites across the province."
Increased enrolment will be a priority of Université Sainte-Anne-
Collège de l'Acadie. Currently, the college and university
collectively have about 500 students. The business plan aims to
increase enrolment by 200 in the next five years, with an
emphasis on teacher education programs and online courses.
The former boards will be dissolved and a transitional board of
governors will come into effect. Mr. Roberge will be the new
president and Mr. Surette will be vice-president of development
and partnerships.
The new institution will receive almost $6.5 million in
provincial funding each year for five years. Canadian Heritage
has been funding both institutions through an agreement that will
expire in 2003. Negotiations on how that federal funding will
continue are nearing completion.
The merger is part of government's commitment to ensuring that
Nova Scotia's education system reflects the diverse nature of the
province's communities.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Legislation was introduced today (November 12th) to merge
Université Sainte-Anne and Collège de l'Acadie.
The merger will mean more students will have greater access
to French post-secondary courses and programs.
Education Minister Jane Purves said the college and
university will pool their resources and offer quality programs
more efficiently.
The two institutions have agreed on a merger plan and aim to
be operating as one within a year.
Goals for the new institution are to increase enrolment,
offer more programs and expand distance education.
-30-
Contact: Robyn McIsaac
Department of Education
902-424-8286
E-mail: mcisaarc@gov.ns.ca
nak November 12, 2002 2:35 P.M.
Legislation was introduced today, Nov. 12, to secure the future
of French-language post-secondary education. The integration of
Université Sainte-Anne and Collège de l'Acadie means more
students will have greater access to French post-secondary
courses and programs in Nova Scotia.
The two boards of governors have agreed on a plan for merging
their operations within a year. Once legislation has been
proclaimed, the new, merged institution will be known as
Université Sainte-Anne-Collège de l'Acadie.
"We need to ensure that French-speaking Nova Scotians have access
to high-quality post-secondary education through a viable,
sustainable institution," said Education Minister Jane Purves."By
merging, the college and the university will pool their resources
and offer quality programs more efficiently."
The university and the college have developed a five-year
business plan to guide them through the merger and help the newly
formed Université Sainte-Anne-Collège de l'Acadie achieve its
goals of increased enrolment, more programs and expanding
distance education services abroad.
"We're going to build on the strengths that both institutions
have now," said Allister Surette, president of Collège de
l'Acadie. "We'll also be able to use savings from reduced
administration costs to reinvest in programs and technology."
Université Sainte-Anne is strong in undergraduate degree
programs. Collège de l'Acadie has expertise in using technology
for distance education.
"The college has the network and the technology to offer distance
education," said André Roberge, president of Université Sainte-
Anne. "Together, we can offer both university and college credits
at sites across the province."
Increased enrolment will be a priority of Université Sainte-Anne-
Collège de l'Acadie. Currently, the college and university
collectively have about 500 students. The business plan aims to
increase enrolment by 200 in the next five years, with an
emphasis on teacher education programs and online courses.
The former boards will be dissolved and a transitional board of
governors will come into effect. Mr. Roberge will be the new
president and Mr. Surette will be vice-president of development
and partnerships.
The new institution will receive almost $6.5 million in
provincial funding each year for five years. Canadian Heritage
has been funding both institutions through an agreement that will
expire in 2003. Negotiations on how that federal funding will
continue are nearing completion.
The merger is part of government's commitment to ensuring that
Nova Scotia's education system reflects the diverse nature of the
province's communities.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Legislation was introduced today (November 12th) to merge
Université Sainte-Anne and Collège de l'Acadie.
The merger will mean more students will have greater access
to French post-secondary courses and programs.
Education Minister Jane Purves said the college and
university will pool their resources and offer quality programs
more efficiently.
The two institutions have agreed on a merger plan and aim to
be operating as one within a year.
Goals for the new institution are to increase enrolment,
offer more programs and expand distance education.
-30-
Contact: Robyn McIsaac
Department of Education
902-424-8286
E-mail: mcisaarc@gov.ns.ca
nak November 12, 2002 2:35 P.M.