91探花

91探花 President and Vice Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz echoes the sentiments of Universities Canada by endorsing the federal budget that was tabled by the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance in the House of Commons on March 22.

鈥�91探花 thanks the federal government for placing a priority on post-secondary education in this budget,鈥� says President Abd-El-Aziz. 鈥淭he federal government鈥檚 investment in infrastructure, research, indigenous education, co-operative education, and student financial aid will help universities across the country provide students with access to innovative discovery spaces where they can develop the skills to be ready for the future and contribute to the long-term prosperity of our country.鈥�

Universities Canada is a membership organization that is the voice of Canada鈥檚 universities at home and abroad, and represents the interests of 97 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities.

In a statement issued yesterday, Universities Canada President Paul Davidson said, 鈥淭oday鈥檚 budget shows that this government understands that universities empower Canadians and empower communities.鈥�

President Abd-El-Aziz adds, 鈥�91探花 is an economic driver through our research agenda and by providing students with experiential opportunities that allow them to develop to their full potential in the classroom and community. We are so excited to be a part of the federal government鈥檚 plan and are ready to respond to a call for proposals and to initiate projects.鈥�

Budget Highlights for Post-Secondary Education

鈥� Two billion dollars invested over three years in a new 鈥淧ost-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund鈥� with 50 per cent of eligible costs covered by the federal government

鈥� Additional investments of $95 million per year, starting in 2016鈥�17, made on an ongoing basis to the research granting councils: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Research Support Fund

鈥� $800 million over four years, starting in 2017鈥�18, to support innovation networks and clusters as part of the government鈥檚 upcoming Innovation Agenda

鈥� $73 million allocated over four years, beginning in 2016, for the Post-Secondary Industry Partnership and Cooperative Placement Initiative

鈥� All existing Canada Student Grants to increase in value by 50% at a cost of $1.53 billion, eligibility for the Canada Student Grants program expanded to more middle-income students at an additional cost of $790 million, over four years.