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New Distance Education Technology To Benefit Students
In 32 Remote Communities
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SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON, July 12 /CNW/ - More than 30,000 residents of northern
communities are expected to benefit from improved access to university,
college and secondary education, Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges
and Universities, announced today.
"We're on the side of Northerners," Bentley said. "That's why our
government is investing $1.5 million to help Contact North expand its
award-winning distance education and training network into over 20 new
communities in Northern Ontario."
Contact North/Contact Nord is a bilingual distance education and training
network that uses advanced technology to bring university, college and
secondary school programs and courses to people living in small and remote
northern communities.
Today's investment is intended to fund e-learning access centres in at
least 20 new communities, of which 16 are confirmed so far. It will also
enable 12 additional northern communities to participate in Contact
North/Contact Nord's videoconference network. Last year, Contact North/Contact
Nord helped deliver close to 13,000 course registrations in 589 credit
courses.
"This new investment from the Ontario government is great news for
Northerners who want to further their education," said Maxim Jean-Louis,
president and chief executive officer. "I'm excited that our network will be
able to serve many more people and communities in the North."
"Thanks to today's announcement, residents of my community will have
access to additional education and training opportunities via Contact North,"
said Fernand Bidal, mayor of the town of St. Charles. "This is excellent news
for our residents and will further support economic development in St.
Charles."
Six northern colleges and three northern universities will be able to
deliver distance education to support more students thanks to the expanded
e-learning platform and videoconferencing capabilities provided by Contact
North/Contact Nord. Partner colleges are Cambrian, Canadore, Confederation,
Northern and Sault College as well as Collège Boréal. Lakehead, Laurentian and
Nipissing Universities are partnered with Contact North.
"Minister Bentley's announcement brings great news to the additional
northern communities that Contact North will be able to serve," said Barbara
Taylor, president of Canadore College and vice-chair of the Contact North
board. "The northern colleges will continue to work collaboratively with
Contact North and with each other to bring the diploma and apprenticeship
programs needed in Northern Ontario to people in their home communities. This
will significantly enhance accessibility to post secondary education in our
region."
Helping expand access to education and training opportunities for
northerners is the latest way the McGuinty government is working to provide
opportunity for Ontario's students. Other initiatives include:
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- Ensuring that all students, no matter where they live, have access to
high quality postsecondary education
- Doubling student aid, so families can afford higher education
- Bringing back upfront tuition grants for students who need help the
most: 60,000 students will get grants this coming year covering
between a quarter and all of the cost of their tuition.
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Under the Reaching Higher Plan, the Ontario government is making an
historic $6.2 billion multi-year investment to support postsecondary education
- the largest in 40 years - to create more opportunities for Ontarians to
succeed.
"We know that enhancing support and services for students in northern
communities will help them achieve their postsecondary goals," said Bentley.
"We're working to ensure everyone in Ontario has the tools they need to
prosper in the economy of the 21st century."
Disponible en français
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www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca
Backgrounder
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ABOUT CONTACT NORTH/CONTACT NORD
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Established by the Ontario government in 1986, today Contact
North/Contact Nord is Canada's largest distance education and training
network. Fully bilingual, it provides residents of northern communities with
access to programs and courses offered by colleges, universities, secondary
schools and other education deliverers.
Currently, at its Access Centres in 67 communities across Northern
Ontario, Contact North/Contact Nord provides audioconferencing, two-way
videoconferencing, and other e-learning technologies to connect students in
small and remote communities with teachers and one another. Access Centres are
located within colleges, secondary schools or community centres in Northern
Ontario, and have full- or part-time staff who help students use equipment and
provide other supports.
In 2004-05, Contact North/Contact Nord supported the delivery of close to
13,000 course registrations in 589 college, university and secondary school
credit courses. Of the 67 communities served, 14 are in First Nations
communities, 49 have no other postsecondary presence and seven can only be
reached by air.
Contact North/Contact Nord is primarily funded by the Ministry of
Training, Colleges and Universities. Colleges and universities that provide
the programs and courses delivered by Contact North/Contact Nord are Cambrian,
Canadore, Confederation, Northern and Sault colleges, and Collège Boréal; and
Lakehead, Laurentian and Nipissing universities.
2006 marks Contact North/Contact Nord's 20th anniversary. In May, the
Canadian Association of Distance Education (CADE) presented Contact
North/Contact Nord with the 2006 Award of Excellence and Innovation in
Partnership/Collaboration.
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is investing
$1.5 million to expand and enhance Contact North/Contact Nord's network.
Confirmed new communities are as follows.
E-learning
Opening Access Centres in the following communities (confirmed):
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- Armstrong
- Astorville
- Bonfield
- Cobalt
- Dokis First Nation
- Earlton
- Fort Albany First Nation
- Latchford
- Markstay-Warren
- Massey
- Ramore
- St-Charles
- Schreiber
- Virginiatown
- Elk Lake
- Pic Mobert First Nation (already opened)
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Videoconferencing
Adding videoconferencing capability to Access Centres in the following
communities:
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- Atikokan
- Iroquois Falls
- Kapuskasing
- Longlac
- Manitowadge
- Moosonee
- Nakina
- Red Lake
- Sturgeon Falls
- Wikwemikong
- White River
- Sandy Lake
Disponible en français
www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca
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For further information: Sheamus Murphy, Minister's Office, (416) 325-7215; Tanya Blazina, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2746; Public Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892
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