Province commits to graduate expansion

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Sekuler_Allison1.jpg” caption=”Allison Sekuler, associate vice-president and dean of Graduate Studies. File Photo. “]More than 330 new graduate student spaces are being created at McMaster as part of the province of Ontario's new investment in graduate expansion.

John Milloy, minister of Training, Colleges and Universities announced the province is committing $52-million to create nearly 3,300 new spaces over the next three years at Ontario's universities.

At McMaster, a total of 338 new graduate spots will be created in both Master's and PhD programs, representing an investment of about $5.25-million to McMaster's graduate programs.

“Graduate expansion is of critical importance to McMaster and is one of our strategic goals in Refining Directions,” says president Peter George. “With this investment, we will be able to meet anticipated student demand while supporting research and innovation that will fuel our economic recovery.”

In announcing the expansion, Milloy said there will be a strong return on the investment. The government estimates that seven out of 10 new jobs created in Ontario over the next decade will require post-secondary education or training.

“Ontario's highly skilled work force is our province's greatest asset,” he said. “By helping more Ontarians pursue higher education we can strengthen our economy and attract the kind of jobs and investment that will build prosperity for all Ontario families.”

Allison Sekuler, McMaster's associate vice-president and dean of Graduate Studies says the provincial investment will have an significant impact on campus and highlights McMaster's contribution to cultural, social, and economic prosperity.

“We've seen increased interest in graduate studies across the entire University compared to this time last year, with increases in application rates as high as 30 per cent in areas such as Engineering and our MBA program,” she says. “The allocation of 338 new graduate spaces enables McMaster to meet this rising demand by developing and growing new programs, and continuing to build our traditional areas of excellence in research and graduate training.”

Combined with previously allocated spots for graduate expansion, McMaster plans to increase graduate enrollment by more than 530 students over the next three years, resulting in overall growth to graduate programs of nearly 70 per cent since the expansion program began in 2002.