Latest news with #NigmendraNarain
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Legislation Will Burden Ontario's Universities with Equity Challenges and More Costly Red Tape
Toronto, ON, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) today responded to the provincial government's announcement of the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, which proposes increased 'oversight, accountability, and transparency for public school boards, postsecondary education, and children's aid societies.' While full details of the forthcoming legislation are still to be provided, OCUFA expresses significant concern about its potential impact on Ontario's publicly-funded world-class universities, particularly regarding financial oversight and efforts to promote equity. The legislation proposes to build upon directives introduced in Bill 166, the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024. OCUFA previously provided formal feedback on Bill 166, highlighting concerns about the lack of collaboration with university stakeholders, ambiguity in implementation, and a lack of clarity regarding expert consultations, especially on critical issues like mental health, hate, racism, and student affordability. The use of vague, open-ended language in such legislation risks misinterpretation and could invite political interference. Yesterday's announcement also revealed a proposal to introduce additional ministerial oversight over how ancillary fees are used at postsecondary institutions, and a requirement for detailed breakdowns of tuition fee revenue. OCUFA is also particularly troubled by language around admissions criteria, which appears to target initiatives aimed at increasing representation from equity-seeking groups. Again, we are concerned this could entail political interference. "We look forward to carefully reviewing the proposed legislation and welcome the opportunity to provide detailed feedback to this government on behalf of the over 18,000 faculty, academic librarians, and academic staff OCUFA proudly represents," stated Nigmendra Narain, President of OCUFA. "However, the prospect of yet more costly red-tape and additional distractions from the core mission of our publicly-funded universities is deeply disappointing. Rather than providing the necessary funding and support for Ontario's world-class universities to thrive, this government is introducing more bureaucracy. Instead of trying to run the university sector themselves, the Ontario Government should focus on the core issues plaguing our universities. The government can start with their responsibility to ensure universities have stable and necessary funding to provide high quality education to Ontario students." "We are disheartened by the continued attacks on the vital goals of Ontario's publicly-funded postsecondary institutions to create more inclusive campuses and expand opportunities for qualified students from equity-deserving groups," added Jenny Ahn, Executive Director of OCUFA. "All students must still meet the same required and rigorous academic requirements for admission, so it is crucial to understand that equity-based entry factors do not replace or diminish academic standards. In fact, fostering a more diverse and multicultural student population demonstrably promotes academic excellence, encourages an inclusive student experience, and cultivates a richer learning environment for students, staff, academic librarians and faculty." OCUFA emphasizes that truly strengthening Ontario's postsecondary sector requires genuine collaboration, stable funding, and a commitment to fostering inclusive excellence, not additional bureaucratic costs, hurdles or policies that undermine equity initiatives and academic excellence. Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents more than 18,000 professors and academic librarians in 30 faculty associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at Contact: media@ CONTACT: Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations media@
CBC
20-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Post-secondary sector says budget measures won't avert crisis in northern colleges and universities
We need elbows up, but also heads up, says the president of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Employees in response to measures announced in Ontario's budget last week. Nigmendra Narain speaks for the organization representing 18,000 faculty, academic librarians and academic staff. He says some steps announced in the budget are welcome, but will do nothing to ward off an impending financial crisis, and argues the province is reducing its funding from last year. Many colleges and universities in the northeast are struggling and having to adjust their budgets suddenly. Federal policy changes have capped the number of international students who pay three to six times the amount of domestic students. While post-secondary institutions work to avoid outright lay-offs, schools such as Cambrian College in Sudbury and Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie have been offering early retirement incentives to faculty, re-assigning instructors and suspending intake to programs with low enrolment. Cambrian College in Sudbury said it had to eliminate 22 positions because of a $40 million dollar drop in revenue. Algoma University is seeing its operating budget cut in half and it will welcome more than five thousand fewer students next fall. It has suspended intake to five programs with low enrolment this fall. In a recent statement to CBC, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Colleges and Universities said the government has made an historic investment of $1.3 billion in the sector, and put $750 million to fund science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) student seats over five years. Narain said those numbers need to be put in context. "Their claim is based on the idea that they are doing it over the course of history, that it's a larger investment," he said. "Their own blue ribbon report suggested (an investment) closer to $3 billion. So they are 50 per cent or half the amount off of what their own blue ribbon panel suggested was a minimum amount of investment that is needed." Narain said the amount being put into research is also declining since last year and while the STEM investment is welcome, it would be better for even more overall funding so all students could study and contribute "Some of them are going to do engineering degrees, they're going to do medical degrees, but they're also going to do English and theatre and political science and economics," he said. "So we need that funding to be there for the students to take the courses and so forth." The budget also includes an additional $10 million dollars to help out small, northern and rural colleges and universities. The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance welcomed that measure in a statement. "Rural and northern institutions have less-than-adequate infrastructure and services in place for their students compared to their more urban counterparts. As a result, this funding is a good step towards more comprehensive supports for these schools and we'd be keen to see this investment grow in other northern post-secondary areas like transit and infrastructure." More college graduates live and contribute to rural, northern communities An Ontario researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Carolina Agarão, said a larger concentration of college graduates live and work in northern Ontario. She said while the reliance on higher tuition of international students has masked the problem of insufficient government funding, there is a now a crisis as those students stay away. "I think we are really seeing a funding crisis in post-secondary education, but we know that colleges are critical to promote the well-being of workers and communities and what we really need to see is that the government needs to step up," Agarão said. 'We're there for colleges and universities', says Bethlenfalvy In an interview with CBC Sudbury after the budget, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy acknowledged the difficulties facing the sector with the cap on international enrolment, but said that was an "Ottawa decision" and the province is putting in significant investment to fund colleges and universities.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ontario's Postsecondary Students and Faculty Have Been Let Down Once Again in the Provincial Budget
Toronto, ON, May 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) today stated that the 2025 Provincial Budget yet again neglects Ontario's postsecondary education institutions by failing to provide critical investments needed amidst a demographic boom, domestic tuition freeze, reduced international student permits, all while facing economic challenges and turmoil. 'Ontario universities will continue to receive the least per-student funding in Canada, and for the foreseeable future,' said Nigmendra Narain, President of OCUFA, which represents over 18,000 faculty, academic librarians, and academic staff. "This budget fails to recognize the demographic boom Ontario is experiencing and the urgent need for more postsecondary spaces. It also fails to make much needed critical investments in chronically underfunded public universities, which are a driver of economic growth against a tariff war which will require cutting-edge research and a well-educated labour force to weather this economic crisis. OCUFA has consistently warned of these growing crises, but this government continues to ignore the stark reality facing Ontario." A recent report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) reiterated these concerns around accessibility for domestic students, estimating that Ontario would need an additional 225,000 funded seats over the next 20 years to meet the rapidly increasing demand from young Ontarians wishing to enroll in postsecondary education in Ontario. "The financial pressures created by the domestic tuition freeze and reduced international student permits demand significant provincial investment – a dire need this budget sadly ignores,' said Jenny Ahn, OCUFA Executive Director. 'This inaction will set Ontario back years and risks causing irreparable harm to our universities and the communities that rely on them. It also fails to invest our next generation, and in innovative research and its economic benefits which will be desperately needed as we face serious economic threats." OCUFA was very disappointed by the inadequate investments in research funding. The announced $207 million for research over three years – or under $70 million per year – masks a significant cut compared to the $238 million provided in 2023-24. Ontario's faculty, academic librarians, and academic staff are leaders in cutting-edge research, generating innovations that fuel the province's economy, and yield lifesaving breakthroughs. OCUFA encourages further sustained and increased funding in these critical and innovative research programs which are indispensable to fight the current economic challenges Ontario faces. As the Conference Board of Canada notes, one dollar invested in education yields a 30% return on investment – an investment in Ontario's future. Infrastructure investments of $5 billion over ten years appears like a large commitment, but universities will receive just 28.6% of this funding despite educating more students, conducting more breakthrough experimental research, and being relied upon for policy advice and economic growth during a time of severe economic uncertainty. OCUFA welcomes expansion of Ontario Learn and Stay Grant to support a fourth cohort of medical students, but we also need support throughout the university sector as well, not just medical students, to prepare Ontario's next generation of leaders and innovators for the alarming challenges facing us right now. This budget further demonstrates the Ontario government's failure to recognize the crucial value of Arts and Humanities programs, which equip students with vital skills for a rapidly changing world. OCUFA calls for adequate funding across all university disciplines to support this essential education to prepare our students to succeed. While any investment is a positive step, OCUFA emphasizes, yet again, that the province must recognize the fundamental importance of all university programs and the deep financial crises threatening these institutions. Investment by this government can enlist universities in fighting against the problems it faces and rise to meet the economic challenges of today. OCUFA remains a strong advocate for robust and sustained investment in university research and education, recognizing their fundamental and multi-faceted contribution to Ontario's economic growth and resilience, societal well-being, opportunities for the next generation, and global competitiveness. Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents more than 18,000 professors and academic librarians in 30 faculty associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at Contact: media@ CONTACT: Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations media@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Upturn
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
OCUFA Welcomes Investments in Research and Innovation Projects in Ontario
Toronto, ON, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) commends today's announcement by the Ontario government of $75 million investment in 162 vital research projects across the province. This funding, allocated through the Early Researcher Awards and the Ontario Research Fund, acknowledges the pivotal role of Ontario's publicly-funded universities in driving economic prosperity and fostering life-saving discoveries. However, OCUFA emphasizes that further strategic investment is crucial to fully realize Ontario's potential as a world-renowned research hub. Ontario's universities are leaders in cutting-edge research, generating innovations that fuel the province's economy, and yield lifesaving breakthroughs. Thus, OCUFA encourages further sustained and increased funding in these critical research programs as essential to amplify their impact. A significant component of today's announcement includes a $45 million investment in the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative, led by the University of Ottawa. This funding will support the expansion of crucial facilities affiliated with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and McMaster University, bolstering Canada's biomanufacturing capacity and enhancing pandemic preparedness. 'This $75 million investment is a welcome recognition of the exceptional research prowess within Ontario's public universities,' stated Nigmendra Narain, President of OCUFA. 'To truly elevate Ontario's standing as a global leader in research and innovation, we must adopt a more ambitious and long-term funding strategy. Consistent and increased investment in programs like the Early Researcher Awards and the Ontario Research Fund will empower our world-class researchers, foster vital collaborations, and ensure that the transformative discoveries made in Ontario have a global impact.' Jenny Ahn, Executive Director of OCUFA, said, 'The government's commitment to these research projects is a positive step towards strengthening Ontario's dynamic research ecosystem. To firmly establish our province as a leading international research hub and to fully leverage the immense talent of our faculty, academic librarians and institutions, sustained and expanded investments across all research disciplines are paramount. We urge the government to build upon this encouraging announcement with the increased funding necessary to unlock the full force of Ontario's research potential and both enhance and attract even more top-tier researchers to our province.' OCUFA remains a strong advocate for robust and sustained investment in university research, recognizing its fundamental contribution to Ontario's economic growth, societal well-being, opportunities for the next generation, and global competitiveness. Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents more than 18,000 professors and academic librarians in 30 faculty associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at Contact: [email protected] Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
