The region’s two post-secondary institutions have both received provincial funding to help cover costs from COVID-19.
Canadore College will receive $5.5 million while Nipissing University will get $2.9 million. The money is based on costs each school incurred during the pandemic.
“Canadore College and Nipissing University are critical to Nipissing’s economic recovery as a key source of research, innovation, job creation and commercialization in our community,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “This funding will help to address the financial challenges of COVID-19 and maintain the quality of education that students and their families expect at our world-class institutions.”
Domestic enrollment at both institutions has been strong this year, while international enrollment has taken a hit due in part to border and travel restrictions.
Cheryl Sutton, president of Nipissing University, says international enrollment is “much less than what we anticipated,” adding the school is working on new ways to welcome international students back.
George Burton, president of Canadore College, says the school has had to take on larger costs to offer its hybrid-style of programming to allow students to have hands-on experience.
“There’s only so much simulation online that can be done,” Burton said during the virtual announcement.
Provincially, domestic college enrollment is down five percent this school year, while international enrollment fell eight percent. For universities, domestic enrollment grew two percent with a three percent growth in international enrollment.
The funding is part of an overall $106.5 million investment from the province into postsecondary institutions.