Ottawa, June 22, 2021 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) has recognized its national counterpart, Universities Canada, with its Outstanding Partner Award for 2021. The two associations have a long history of collaboration, and worked more closely than ever this year, as their members faced similar challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the last few years, CICan and Universities Canada have worked together on a significant number of collaborative initiatives that have produced exceptional benefits for the post-secondary sector. This ranges from the development of a national standard on psychological health and safety for post-secondary students led by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, to the new Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program that will provide international opportunities for thousands of Canadian students to work and study abroad, as soon as borders reopen.
“CICan and Universities Canada have often been natural allies over the year, and this was especially true this year”, noted CICan president and CEO, Denise Amyot. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, our two associations have ensured more than ever that our respective positioning was coherent, as our members faced similar challenges. Together, we were able to defend the critical role that all post-secondary institutions can play in supporting a sustainable recovery, while ensuring the impacts of emergency measures on our institutions, and their students, including international students affected by border closures, were well understood and taken into account by policy makers.”
About Colleges and Institutes Canada:
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the voice of Canada’s publicly-supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics, and an international leader in education for employment with ongoing programs in over 25 countries. CICan’s members add over $190B to Canada’s economy each year and contribute to inclusive economic growth by working with industry and community partners to offer more than 10,000 programs to learners in urban, rural, remote, and northern communities.
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For more information:
Julien Abord-Babin
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
Colleges and Institutes Canada
Email: jabord-babin@collegesinstitutes.ca
Phone: 613-746-2222 ext. 3131
Twitter: @CollegeCan