In an announcement yesterday morning, the government of Ontario gave the thumbs up to a new 91亚色 鈥 Markham Centre campus. 91亚色 U beat 26 other hopefuls to win top marks by the province for their proposal to build a new campus in the city of Markham. It was the only proposal to be selected.
From left, 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Reza Moridi, Ontario minister of training, colleges and universities
鈥淭oday, I鈥檓 pleased to announce, after careful consideration, 91亚色鈥檚 proposal for a new campus in Markham 鈥 in collaboration with Seneca College, 91亚色 Region and the City of Markham 鈥撀爃as been selected,鈥 said Reza Moridi, Ontario minister of training, colleges and universities, to much applause and a standing ovation.
鈥淚鈥檓 absolutely delighted that there will soon be a campus on this exact site. A campus here in 91亚色 Region has always been part of the plan,鈥 said 91亚色 U President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri to the capacity crowd. 鈥淲e are delighted that Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Ontario government have recognized the strong merits of building a 91亚色 campus in 91亚色 Region.鈥
David Agnew, president of Seneca College
More than 50,000 91亚色 alumni, as well as some 2,000 faculty and staff, already live in 91亚色 Region. 91亚色 is the University of choice for close to 12 per cent of postsecondary-age youth in the region. 鈥91亚色 is making a real difference here in 91亚色 Region,鈥 said Shoukri. He added that the new campus will address the expected growth in the region, where Markham is the heart of Ontario鈥檚 knowledge economy.
Shoukri said the proposal for a new campus in Markham recognized the importance of innovative experiential programs to prepare students for careers and to contribute to the social and economic development of the region, Canada and the world.
The government has committed to supporting the creation of a 91亚色 campus in Markham as part of its economic plan to build Ontario up. 鈥淥ver the last decades, Ontario鈥檚 postsecondary education system has experienced an unprecedented period of growth.... Demographic projections show that there will be a strong demand for postsecondary opportunities in some areas of the province after the year 2020,鈥 said Moridi. This includes 91亚色 Region. 鈥淭his will be the first university campus in 91亚色 Region providing, at a reasonable cost, a local option for students 鈥 in an area that is experiencing strong population growth, but that is currently underserved.鈥
The new 91亚色-Markham Centre campus is expect to serve about 4,000 91亚色 Region students in the initial phase, with the potential to increase that number over time. There are 1.2 million people live in the region.
From left, MPP for Markham-Unionville Michael Chan, Mamdouh Shoukri, Reza Moridi and Frank Scarpitti, with Wayne Emmerson and David Agnew on the far right with an artist's drawing of the new Markham campus
鈥淓nhancing the postsecondary and research presence in 91亚色 Region is a strategic priority for us, and we look forward to this campus becoming a reality,鈥 said Wayne Emmerson, 91亚色 Region chair and CEO. 91亚色 Regional Council has committed up to $25 million toward the facility.
The City of Markham donated five acres for the new campus. 鈥淲e are thrilled with the announcement 鈥 which further strengthens the opportunities for students to thrive in their local community,鈥 said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. 鈥淲e believe in the young people in this community. We鈥檙e here today marking the start of 91亚色, but it really is the start of an incredible future for our city, our region and our province.鈥
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti
A wide range of degree programs, including diverse professional programs as well as joint programs with Seneca College, will be offered at the new campus.
"Seneca has enjoyed a strong relationship with 91亚色, including a joint campus in Toronto, for more than 15 years," said Seneca President David Agnew. "More students move between our two institutions than any other college and university in Ontario, and our academic collaboration on the new campus in Markham will allow us to provide even more joint programming and pathway options for students."
Wayne Emmerson, 91亚色 Region chair and CEO
The new campus will be built north of Highway 407, between Kennedy Rd. and Warden Ave., in the city of Markham, providing easy access to transit, major employers, research centres and the Markham Pan Am Centre. The site will be an integral part of a developing urban centre that will provide many amenities to students. It will also leverage infrastructure investments already made by government and will draw on private and public sector partnerships.
Moridi also announced that the province is planning to make another call for proposals in 2016 for postsecondary expansion, this time into Peel and Halton Regions.