LONDON, ON, Feb. 2 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is making

unprecedented investments in postsecondary education that will provide

students at The University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College with

greater access to a high-quality education, said Chris Bentley, MPP for London

West and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

     "We've made a lot of progress on our plan to improve students' access to

high-quality postsecondary education and training, and these investments will

enable us to make even more progress," said Bentley. "We're working on the

side of Ontario families to build opportunity for their children."

     For the first time, colleges and universities will receive stable,

predictable three-year funding. The government's investment of $4 billion this

year to support access and quality will rise to $4.3 billion by 2008-09,

reaching $1 billion more in annual funding compared to 2004-05.

     The three-year agreements include government and institution commitments

to achieve system-wide results for the investment, such as increased student

enrolment, improved graduation rates and greater student access to faculty. 

The recently established Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO)

will monitor and report on performance measures and advise the postsecondary

education system towards improved quality.

     This year, The University of Western Ontario will benefit from over $243

million to support improved access and quality. Students will benefit from a

broad spectrum of on-line instruction, field projects and service learning

experiences in addition to traditional face-to-face instruction. In 2006/07,

increased funding will support 37 net new full-time tenured faculty/academic

hires and eight net new full-time limited term faculty/academic hires. Under

the agreement, Western will significantly increase the number of PhD and

Masters level students, as well as develop programs that integrate classroom

study with community engagement and service.

     "The Reaching Higher plan has made unprecedented investments in quality

improvement, and we congratulate the minister and urge him to stay the

course," said Dr. Paul Davenport, President of The University of Western

Ontario. "In particular, the commitments to quality education and

graduate-level programs are magnificent investments in the future prosperity

of Ontario."

     This year, Fanshawe College will benefit from over $71 million to support

improved access and quality, including a 6.6 per cent increase in funding

compared to last year. Increased funding will support a net increase of 25

full-time positions at the college this year. Other improvements include a new

high-end computer lab, a major technology upgrade of all general-purpose

classrooms and lecture theatres at the London Campus. The McGuinty

government's investment in Fanshawe will grow to over $75 million in 2008-09,

an increase of 26.8 per cent in annual funding since the introduction of the

Reaching Higher Plan.

     "This funding supports Fanshawe's mission of student access and student

success," said Fanshawe Vice-President Bernice Hull. "Improvements in

technology and quality education woven throughout our multi-year agreement

supports our vision to be 'Community Driven...Student Focused'. We extend our

thanks to the government for allowing us to plan ahead for our students."

     "This historic investment will help make sure all our students can access

a high-quality postsecondary education," said Bentley. "Together with our

education partners, we're going to keep working to make sure we have the best

system of higher learning."

     Through the McGuinty government's Reaching Higher plan, the Ontario

government is investing an extra $6.2 billion over five years - the most

significant investment in 40 years - to improve access and quality at

Ontario's colleges and universities.

     The Reaching Higher Plan has already achieved results, including:

     -  86,000 more undergraduate students since 2002-03, a 22 per cent

        increase

     -  12,000 more graduate student spaces by 2007-08, since 2002-03

     -  120,000 students qualifying for grants, including 60,000 new upfront

        tuition grants

     -  A 27 per cent increase in student assistance maximums after an 11-year

        freeze

     -  For qualifying students, every dollar of aid over $7,000 is a grant,

        not a loan

     -  Breaking down barriers to first generation, disabled, francophone, and

        Aboriginal students to attend and succeed.