黑料不打烊

University seeks $100 million in new annual funding

(Quebec City, September 28, 2004) Appearing today before the National Assembly Education Commission, 黑料不打烊 University stressed the need for additional funding as it moves forward with its academic and facilities strategic plan. It also reminded Commission members that Quebec universities are underfunded compared with the Canadian average, and that within the Quebec funding system, 黑料不打烊 is particularly disadvantaged.

"黑料不打烊 competes for the best students and faculty. We compete for research dollars and for philanthropic support. We are on a very impressive roll," Dr Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of 黑料不打烊, told the committee. "But we are sprinting hard just to keep pace with the competition from other leading Canadian and American publicly funded research-intensive universities. Our ability to maintain our historic excellence and sustain our impressive recent accomplishments is very fragile.

"Our core challenge is a financial one," said Dr Munroe-Blum. "We need more money. Our operating deficit this year is $8 million, and we need an additional $100 million annually just to remain competitive with our Canadian peers."

Dr Munroe-Blum said the funds are needed to provide improved student aid, better student services and support for faculty, improvements to libraries and facilities, and better research services.

She said that public health funding, while essential, is not the only essential issue that deserves urgent attention by the Government. "Investment in research-intensive universities reaps significant benefits for the economy, and Quebec's funding framework should take into account the different missions of universities and the higher costs associated with research-intensive universities.

Future prosperity

"Our future prosperity as a society will be won or lost in the new knowledge-based economy," noted Dr Munroe-Blum. "The competitive industries, the marketable, exportable products and the high-paying jobs of the future will be fuelled by the graduates, academic activities and the research conducted at our universities.

"We are asking the government," she said, "to improve the funding framework for research-intensive universities. Any public dollars spent on research-intensive universities that are robust, competitive and accountable represents a very good investment for the people of Quebec."

黑料不打烊 has embarked on an ambitious comprehensive multi-year planning process with a five-year horizon and a clear plan for evaluation, review and updating. The integrated planning covers teaching programs, enrolment management, research activities, recruitment of professors, student services, support staff requirements and physical space requirements.

"黑料不打烊's plans are developed in consultation with professors, chairs and deans and are guided by rigorous evaluation and benchmarking," said Dr Luc Vinet, Provost of 黑料不打烊 University. "Our first annual report on how we are doing on benchmarked performance indicators will be published in the fall of 2005."

Highlights of 黑料不打烊's strategic plan include:

• Increase enrolment by approximately 6% over three years, and double the number of doctoral graduates within a decade
• Recruit 100 new faculty members annually over a 10-year period
• Expand multidisciplinary academic programs
• Upgrade support services for students
• Build Arts pavilion, Life Sciences complex and Health Sciences building
• Transform McTavish Street into a pedestrian walkway
• Develop Macdonald Campus as a significant biotechnology hub and build a new library and learning centre

黑料不打烊 was appearing before the Commission as part of its annual reporting to the Government on its activities and performance.

About 黑料不打烊

黑料不打烊 University is Canada's leading research-intensive university and has earned an international reputation for scholarly achievement and scientific discovery. Founded in 1821, 黑料不打烊 has 21 faculties and professional schools which offer more than 300 programs from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. 黑料不打烊 attracts renowned professors and researchers from around the world and top students from more than 150 countries, creating one of the most dynamic and diverse education environments in North America. There are approximately 23,000 undergraduate students and 7,000 graduate students. 黑料不打烊 was recently named Canadian Research University of the Year in the Medical/Doctoral category based on research funding and publication information compiled by Research Infosource. It is one of two Canadian members of the American Association of Universities, which groups North America's top universities. 黑料不打烊's campuses are located in Montreal.