[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/QIF_announcement_Jan06.jpg” caption=”Helping celebrate this morning’s announcement, from left, are Stephanie Murray, vice-president of education of the McMaster Students’ Union, Anthony Cascella, president of the Mohawk Students Association, MaryLynn West-Moynes, president of Mohawk College, Chris Bentley, minister of training, colleges and universities, Ken Norrie, McMaster provost and Judy Marsales, MPP for Hamilton West. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay “]McMaster is receiving almost $7.6 million from Ontario's Quality Improvement Fund to hire 38 new academic faculty and four part-time staff to improve student services. Funding is being used to purchase new library resources and to transform classrooms into smart, collaborative learning environments with flexible technology to provide access to different types of learning.

The University is also creating additional teaching assistantships, thereby raising the number of small-group activities for undergraduate students.

“One of our priorities at McMaster is to continue to improve the student experience,” said Ken Norrie, provost of McMaster University. “This injection of funding will help us with some of the resources needed to give our students the best university education possible.”

Chris Bentley, minister of training, colleges and universities, made the announcement today at Mohawk College.

The fund is part of the McGuinty government's Reaching Higher plan, which will invest $6.2 billion more into the province's postsecondary system over the next five years. The goal of the plan is to improve quality, accessibility and accountability in postsecondary education.

“After more than 10 years of under-funding and neglect by previous governments, the McGuinty government is rebuilding the foundations of learning so that our postsecondary students get the very best education possible,” said Bentley.

“Our students are the most valuable asset we have for strengthening Ontario's economic advantage and ensuring our future prosperity,” said Bentley. “This new funding at Mohawk and McMaster is providing students in Hamilton with a higher quality education and improvements that they are benefiting from immediately.”

Mohawk College is receiving more than $4.8 million from the Quality Improvement Fund. It is using the money to hire 30 new full-time faculty and 44 new support staff, which means more student contact with professors and expanded access to high demand programs. The college is also enhancing its orientation program and creating a one-stop student service facility to better help students adjust to college and to successfully complete their programs.

In addition, Mohawk has launched a mandatory citizenship course with off-campus visits and participation in citizenship-focused community events. These activities will encourage students to become involved citizens and support social and economic growth and development in the local community.

“Students and learning are at the heart of all we do at Mohawk College,” said MaryLynn West-Moynes, president of Mohawk College. “Thanks to the province's contribution of more than $4.8 million, we are making a direct investment in the success of our students and in the strength of our regional economy.”

In 2005-06, Ontario colleges will receive $87.3 million and universities will receive $124.2 million from the Quality Improvement Fund. To qualify for funding, colleges and universities must sign accountability agreements that spell out the improvements to be made and the results to be achieved.