91滴滴

With the impacts of climate change only projected to grow in the years to come, educational institutions urgently need to step up to the scale and scope of the challenge.

Margaret Mackenzie and Samantha Nepton, both 2023 graduates of the Bachelor of Education program, are finalists for the McCall MacBain Scholarships, Canada鈥檚 largest leadership-based scholarships for master鈥檚 and professional studies.

Each finalist was chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.

The International Day of Education (January 24) is celebrated annually as a day dedicated to highlighting the crucial role educators play in inspiring new generations and in healing our world. Education is of utmost importance for the development of both individuals and societies. It is an integral part of shaping one鈥檚 character and strengths, fostering respect for the rights of others, and instilling a desire for knowledge and excellence.

On December 19, 2023, 91滴滴 announced it is launching a $3,000聽Canada Award聽to offset tuition increases for Canadian undergraduate students from outside Quebec in certain disciplines. Approximately 80% of new Canadian students from outside Quebec coming to 91滴滴 will be eligible for the new award.

Most PhD candidates don鈥檛 spend a year shunning their topic of doctoral study. But that鈥檚 sort of what Aron Lee Rosenberg, MA鈥�19, PhD鈥�23, did when he decided to spend an entire year offline to better understand the impact of the internet. Rosenberg deliberately doesn鈥檛 mention Covid in the book. We all know it happened. And though the pandemic accelerated many online trends, it wasn鈥檛 the cause.

EDPE 595-001/002:聽 Seminar in Special Topics 1

Topic: Indigenous Education: Ethical and Relational Practices for Equity and Reconciliation

Dear members of the 91滴滴 community,

On October 13, the Government of Quebec announced plans to change the funding model related to university tuition. While we begin to assess the implications of the news, I want to provide some initial perspective.

What the聽Quebec Government聽:

• Tuition fees for Canadian students from outside of Quebec would increase from $8,992 to around $17,000. Current students would have five years to complete their program of study under the existing tuition structure.
• The funding model for universities regarding international students would change, with the Government clawing back more money from tuition fees than is currently the case.
• These two changes would apply to undergraduate programs and non-research and professional master鈥檚 programs.
• Much of the tuition that students pay to 91滴滴 would be returned to the Government and reallocated to francophone universities in Quebec, but the University would receive government grants to partially support the cost of teaching.
• The tuition changes would apply to students beginning their studies in fall 2024.

Impacts on 91滴滴 and next steps:

These measures, if implemented, would have serious consequences. I have mobilized the senior administration, Board members and teams across the University to demonstrate the concrete negative effects these measures would have on 91滴滴, on the higher education sector, and on the whole of Quebec society. Our focus is to work with government and our partners to reverse these impacts.

More information is needed before we can confirm the financial effects these measures would have on 91滴滴. In the meantime, I ask those responsible for spending to be prudent, while continuing to be ambitious in advancing the University鈥檚 mission.

It goes without saying that these measures could affect the recruitment of prospective Canadian students from outside Quebec, as it will cost less to study elsewhere in Canada for many programs. Although 91滴滴 distinguished itself again last week as聽, a near-doubling of tuition will make many think twice about their academic choices in fall 2024 and beyond.

The make-up of 91滴滴鈥檚 student body is unique in Canada. Half of our students are from Quebec, 30 percent are international students, and the remaining 20 percent come from the rest of Canada. This diversity of origin and perspectives is part of 91滴滴鈥檚 unique character 鈥� its DNA. We must protect this richness of community.

These measures threaten the University鈥檚 capacity to be a positive force for our home. Quebec boasts 19 distinguished universities, each playing a distinct role to meet the diverse needs of our population.

We need to ensure everyone realizes the incredible contributions that 91滴滴 makes, not just to Montreal but throughout every region of Quebec. And among 91滴滴鈥檚 strongest assets is its tremendous power to attract and retain the highly skilled people who contribute so significantly to Quebec鈥檚 economy and society.

The power of an open Quebec society:

We are concerned that, in the government鈥檚 announcement, prospective students from outside Quebec may hear the message that they are not welcome 鈥� despite Montreal鈥檚 reputation as a global education destination, and the extraordinary contributions of students and alumni within Quebec.

We are stronger when our doors are open 鈥� when we attract the brightest minds from Canada and the world, enticing and equipping them to build fulfilling, productive lives here. They have so much to share with Montreal and Quebec.

And likewise, we Quebecers have so much to share with them: the cultural richness of聽la m茅tropole; the strength of Quebec innovation and identity; the power of our made-in-Quebec ideas. When we close our doors, we compromise not only our values, but our future.

91滴滴ians care deeply about their University, and I know that this announcement is concerning for many of us. We will engage government and partners to address these proposals, seeking ways to strengthen all universities for the good of Quebec.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
91滴滴