The federal government will fund the University of Sudbury project to the tune of $1.9 million, the Department of Canadian Heritage announced on Friday. The post-secondary institution, which was associated with Laurentian University until 2021, wishes to become an autonomous university, “by and for” the Francophones of Ontario.
Before Laurentian became creditor-proof in 2021, the University of Sudbury was one of its three federated institutions; these had their own buildings, but their students earned degrees from Laurentian University. The latter, however, severed its ties with the University of Sudbury during its restructuring.
Since that time, the University of Sudbury has hired a new rector, Professor Serge Miville, and is seeking to obtain its autonomy. To do this, the establishment will undertake a study of its institutional and organizational capacities “in order to meet the needs of students in the Middle North” of Ontario, can we read in the press release from Canadian Heritage.
This assessment will then allow the university administration to prepare its case with the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board of Ontario (PEQAB), the independent body that determines which institutions in the province can award diplomas.
The University of Sudbury “has taken an important step” towards its autonomy, rejoiced its rector on Friday.
This story is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.
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