The University of Alberta is set to increase access to some of its most in-demand academic programs thanks to a major provincial investment aimed at expanding post-secondary spaces across Alberta.
As part of the Government of Alberta’s targeted enrolment expansion, the province is committing more than $148 million over three years to create nearly 8,000 new post-secondary seats for domestic students provincewide, including more than $25 million to the U of A for more than 1,100 new seats.
“The University of Alberta is a world-class institution with a strong track record of preparing students to succeed in high-demand fields,” says Myles McDougall, minister of advanced education, who announced the new funding this morning at the U of A’s Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation. “By supporting more than 1,100 new spaces in health care, engineering, education, science and other programs, our government is helping more students prepare for rewarding careers while ensuring Alberta’s employers, public services and communities have the skilled professionals they need for the future.”
U of A president and vice-chancellor Bill Flanagan says the expansion comes at a crucial time for the university, which has a record enrolment of 48,000 students this fall and continues to see high demand for programs that are key to addressing critical labour shortages in Alberta’s rural and urban communities.
“These high-impact programs consistently rank among the finest in Canada and the world,” Flanagan notes. “This investment will help us reach our strategic goal of enrolling 60,000 students by fall 2033, which in turn will expand our capacity to empower students with valued skills, drive research and innovation, and reinforce Alberta’s position as an economic powerhouse.”
The new provincial funding will expand enrolment in 13 programs spanning nine faculties:
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science (Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences)
- Early Childhood Education Diploma (Campus Saint-Jean)
- Health Care Aide (Campus Saint-Jean)
- Bachelor of Health Sciences (College of Health Sciences)
- Master of Education in Counselling Psychology (Faculty of Education)
- Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education, Rural (Augustana Campus/Faculty of Education)
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Faculty of Engineering)
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation)
- Master of Nurse Practitioner Practice (Faculty of Nursing)
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine)
- Master of Science in Physical Therapy (Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine)
- Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology (Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine)
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Faculty of Science)
The new funding builds on nearly $94 million provided to the U of A in the first two rounds of targeted enrolment expansion, adding nearly 4,000 funded spaces in targeted programs across the university.
“We are pleased to see this continued provincial investment in direct response to the growing demand we’ve seen from both students and industry,” says Melissa Padfield, U of A deputy provost for students and enrolment. “This targeted expansion will leverage our university’s academic excellence to meet the needs of students, employers and communities across the province.”