Student Partners Program to be Extended
On January 28, the Department of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism announced the successful outcome of the pilot phase of ACCC’s Student Partners Program (SPP), designed to accelerate processing times and increase visa approval rates for students from India applying to Canadian colleges and institutes. Previously the rate was less than 50 percent of those applying to universities. The approval rate doubled during the pilot phase, processing times fell significantly, and the integrity of the process was maintained. The Department also announced the extension of the program in principle, as well as its expansion to include additional ACCC member institutions. Click here for the full announcement.
ACCC Hosts Winter Symposia
Two symposia took place in Ottawa this past week. Technology and Web 2.0 Across Institutions: Impacts and Opportunities saw 50 participants come together to examine how technology is changing virtually every aspect of colleges and institute life. The 115 participants at the Applied Research Symposium included representatives from colleges and institutes, the federal granting councils, and government officials. Discussion focused on faculty, student and industry engagement, and social innovation. Suzanne Fortier, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council presented a new strategy for productivity and innovation.
Awards of Excellence Nominations Due Next Week
Don’t miss the February 10, 2010 deadline for nominations to this year’s ACCC Awards of Excellence program. Click here for criteria and nomination forms.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Marcel Côté, who has been named Director General of Collège Gérald-Godin.
Good News From CMHC
On January 20, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation announced loan insurance for multi-unit student housing. CMHC’s program will enable interested parties to obtain loans of up to 85 percent of the lending value for construction, purchase or refinancing of housing specifically built for students. Click here for more information.
