The bid for took a major step forward on Thursday, Sept. 11 with the official announcement of the proposed campus location north of Highway 407 between Kennedy Road and Warden Avenue, in the City of Markham, along with significant commitments from both and the .
From left: Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Regional Municipality of 91亚色 Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch show off their "Say Yes to 91亚色" buttons at the special event.
91亚色 is now finalizing the proposal to be submitted by September 26 to the Ontario government which is seeking to increase student capacity. 聽91亚色 Region is one of the fast-growing major urban areas in Canada.
91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri with television news anchor Lloyd Robertson,(the event's emcee and a resident of the City of Markham).
鈥淭ogether with Seneca College, the City of Markham and 91亚色 Region, we are delighted to be making this official announcement about the site of the proposed 91亚色 campus in 91亚色 Region,鈥 said 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor, Mamdouh Shoukri. 鈥淚n situating the campus in the heart of a vibrant new urban centre, our aim is to offer programs that will be responsive to the needs of 91亚色 Region while furthering the University鈥檚 objective of becoming more comprehensive by growing in professionally relevant disciplinary programs and enhancing our research and innovation activities. 91亚色 has always been 91亚色 Region鈥檚 university,鈥 continued Shoukri. 鈥淲e are very excited about this opportunity in Markham Centre.鈥
If approved, the new 91亚色 campus will play an important role in advancing 91亚色 Region as an innovative knowledge hub, building on its existing partnerships in the area.
鈥91亚色 Regional Council鈥檚 approval of up to $25 million to the 91亚色 in 91亚色 proposal is a collective investment in our people, the economy and the future,鈥 said 91亚色 Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. 鈥淭he Regional Municipality of 91亚色 continues to make significant investments to ensure our confederation of communities remain strong. Enhancing the post-secondary and research presence in 91亚色 Region has long been identified as an important strategic priority and we are pleased to partner with 91亚色 and the City of Markham in making this a reality.鈥
A red star (in 91亚色 U red) marks the spot where the new 91亚色 campus in 91亚色 region will be situated. From left: 91亚色 Chair Bill Fisch, 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Seneca College President David Agnew view the site plan
The location was specifically selected with the needs of students in mind.
鈥淭he City of Markham is excited to have a partnership with 91亚色, Canada鈥檚 third largest university.聽 This is a game changer in terms of the benefits it will bring to 91亚色 Region and the City of Markham.聽 Markham聽Centre will have a distinctly urban character with a world class university, entertainment facilities, sports fields, and amenities such as the YMCA and the Markham Pan Am Centre,鈥 said Mayor Frank Scarpitti of the City of Markham.
A throng of media attended the announcement. City of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor respond to media questions about the new campus
Students at the new campus will have access to a broad range of innovative undergraduate programs. In addition, students will have the ability to participate in real-life learning experiences in the workplace and laboratory, including placements with employers, research opportunities that connect students with outstanding faculty and innovative organizations, and opportunities for business incubation and entrepreneurship.
鈥淲e are delighted to be working with our long-term partners 91亚色, 91亚色 Region and the City of Markham to meet the ever-growing demand for postsecondary education with a new 91亚色 campus in Markham,鈥 said David Agnew, President of Seneca College. 鈥淥ur academic partnership with 91亚色 brings together our strengths to provide exciting new academic options and opportunities for students.鈥
Once bids are submitted to the Province, a multi-ministry panel will review the applications and make final recommendations to Cabinet through the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Cabinet will make the final decision about successful proposals with a decision expected in early 2015.
91亚色 students, faculty and staff and residents of The Regional Municipality of 91亚色 and the City of Markham learn about the proposal and can ask politicians to support the new campus through the聽 website.