Ontario universities will receive $240 million from the provincial government to expand graduate enrolment, according to an announcement made by Premier Dalton McGuinty yesterday.

“It certainly is good news that the government of Ontario is recognizing the need to expand graduate enrolment in the province,” said Dr. Fred L. Hall, Dean of Graduate Studies at McMaster University. “McMaster has recognized that the double cohort at the undergraduate level appeared over three years [ago] and has already this year begun to expand graduate enrolment in anticipation.”

The funding will create 12,000 new graduate spaces by 2007-08 and another 2,000 by 2009-10.

“The announcement will greatly assist us in moving toward our goal of graduate enrolment being 20 per cent of total enrolment at the university,” said Hall.