Toronto, February 10, 2009 – The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) today released its Second Annual Review and Research Plan. This document highlights the Council’s research findings over the past year and lays out a comprehensive plan for continuing its research into improving postsecondary education in Ontario.
“Times of economic uncertainty are fertile opportunities for change,” said the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, Chair of the Council. “We must ensure that our colleges and universities are able to play their part in ensuring Ontario prospers in the new knowledge economy. With the Second Annual Review and Research Plan, HEQCO has laid out a research program that will help policymakers meet short-term needs while striving towards this long-term goal.”
“The Second Annual Research and Review Plan,” said Dr. James Downey, President and CEO of the Council, “is issued at a time of considerable uncertainty and challenge for our colleges and universities, including a deepening recession, expected large increases in enrolment (especially in the Greater Toronto Area), and the need for expanded educational pathways. Such challenges necessitate a sound understanding of the system we have in relation to the system we will need in the years ahead. Our report broadens and deepens that understanding.”
The Plan will be useful to policymakers attempting to address issues in key areas including: accessibility, educational quality, system design, accountability, and participation and educational attainment. The paper concludes by setting out 16 new projects to be initiated over the next 18 months. Together, these projects represent important next steps in the Council’s ongoing research program.
“Our Second Annual Research and Review Plan reflects HEQCO’s comprehensive and growing research activities,” said Ken Norrie, vice-president of research for the Council. “It answers two basic questions: what do we know about higher education, and what do we still need to know to ensure our system delivers the best possible results to students, families and business?”
About the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario is an arm’s-length agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to ensuring the continued improvement of the postsecondary education system. The Council was created through the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, 2005. It is mandated to conduct research, evaluate the postsecondary education system, and provide policy recommendations to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities with a view to enhance the quality, access, and accountability of Ontario’s higher education system.
For further information, please contact:
Ainsley Matthews
Events and Communications Coordinator
Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
(416) 212 5248
amatthews@heqco.ca
www.heqco.ca