January 11, 2016
Province Announces $30 Million for Indigenous Achievement, Research Excellence, Student Experience at University of Manitoba
The Manitoba government will make critical investments that will ensure student success and support the University of Manitoba’s ability to focus on an empowering student experience, Premier Greg Selinger announced today, adding the continued investment in research excellence and supports to help Indigenous students and learning with $30 million in targeted funding is part of the $150 million provincial contribution to the University of Manitoba’s Front and Centre campaign.
“By investing in applied research, scholarships and Indigenous achievement, we are supporting world-class education for students at the University of Manitoba,” said Premier Selinger. “We’re bringing together public support and private donations so that more funding will be available to support faculty and make sure students get the education they need to get good jobs here in Manitoba.”
“This government continues to show leadership and vision in supporting the post-secondary education sector, a driver of our province’s prosperity. The University of Manitoba thanks the government for its transformative investment, which will pay remarkable dividends for generations to come,” said David Barnard, president and vice-chancellor, University of Manitoba. “We are extremely pleased by this support for our mandate to enrich Manitoba and its people.”
The premier noted the funding includes a $5-million investment to support an Indigenous Success Fund that provides scholarships and bursaries, assists in establishing earlier connections with Indigenous youth through mentorship and outreach programs, and facilitates the transition from high school.
Funding to support research excellence and outstanding student experience includes:
- $5 million for undergraduate scholarship and bursaries support,
- $2.5 million for an endowed chair in palliative care,
- $2.5 million to support innovation in teaching chairs,
- $1.5 million for a chair in energy systems and water resources,
- $500,000 in support for a chair in sustainable food development,
- $500,000 for a women in engineering professorship, and
- $500,000 to support the WISE Kid-Netic Energy engineer-in-residence.
Last fall, the premier announced $500,000 annually to create 18 new engineering seats and $365,000 annually for a new hybrid pathway between the University of Manitoba and Red River College. These investments will work to help Manitoba’s growing economy by working to meet the growing need for engineers, the premier noted.
“Today’s announcement of new teaching chairs at the University of Manitoba will help them explore and adopt new, effective approaches to teaching, resulting in one of the best student experiences in Canada. These chairs will pioneer innovative teaching programs and mentor peers through hands-on experiences, new classroom technology and enhanced collaboration,” said Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum.
The Manitoba government has committed $150 million to the Front and Centre campaign, representing 30 per cent of the overall fundraising goal. The University of Manitoba has already raised more than $215 million in private donations to support the campaign.
“We have a record of being on the side of hard-working, middle-class parents that want their children to get the skills they need to get a good job,” said Minister Allum. “We are committed to investing in our education system to support students in their early years, through high school and into college and university.”
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