Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
November 29, 2001
Minister breaks ground for new University of Guelph-Humber
Today, the Honourable Dianne Cunningham, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, broke ground for the new University of Guelph-Humber. The institution, a joint venture of the University of Guelph and Humber College, will be the first in Ontario to offer both a university degree and a college diploma to every graduate in just four years of study.
Three programs will be offered beginning in the Fall of 2002, and the almost $45 -million -dollar building will be complete in the Fall of 2003. The venture received $28.63 million dollars in funding as part of the Ontario government's SuperBuild project to meet the needs of the growing, post-secondary student population.
"The government is proud to be a partner in this exciting project that will benefit thousands of Ontario students in the years to come," said Dianne Cunningham, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. "SuperBuild is ensuring that every willing and qualified student has access to the high-quality, innovative educational facilities and programs they'll need to succeed in the years ahead."
Next September, the University of Guelph-Humber will admit 200 students into three programs: Business, Media Studies and Computing. By 2005, the University will have the capacity for 2,000 students in the new building. "As part of Humber's commitment to a learner centred environment, we have developed a curriculum that meets the emerging needs of employers for strategic skills, and will enable students to pursue post-graduate studies if they choose to continue their education," said Dr. Robert A. Gordon, President of Humber College. More and more university graduates take a post-graduate college program to get the skills training they need to enter the job market. This takes one or two years on top of the four years it takes to get a degree. The University of Guelph and Humber College recognized an opportunity to provide more interactive programming that combines the theoretical knowledge of a university education and practical knowledge of a college education in just four years of study. "It is all about students and expanding student accessibility and opportunity. Students are attracted by the opportunity to attend this academically rigorous program that combines the individual strengths and traditions of the University of Guelph and Humber College," said Mordechai Rozanski, President of the University of Guelph.
The new building will have specialized laboratories, an Internet café, a learning commons and an atrium for major lectures and events. Most of the classrooms are designed for small classes of 65 or fewer. Students will spend all four years at the University of Guelph-Humber in northwest Toronto where they will be able to make use of the food services and athletic facilities at Humber College.
Contact:
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For more information visit The University of Guelph-Humber
