Proposal for Ontario 'open university'

Ontario - HEQCO has released a new research paper, Degrees of Opportunity: Broadening Student Access by Increasing Institutional Differentiation in Ontario Higher Education. Prepared by higher education scholars Glen Jones and Michael Skolnik, this paper was commissioned to determine whether there are significant gaps in Ontario’s postsecondary education system with respect to education and research activities and, if so, how these gaps might be addressed.

“Examining the design of Ontario’s postsecondary system is a key component of HEQCO’s mandate,” said Dr. Ken Norrie, vice-president of research for the Council. “Ontario’s higher education sector faces several significant issues, including growing enrolment demand, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, and the need to provide educational opportunities that respond to the province’s economic needs. Degrees of Opportunity is an initial attempt to tackle these challenges by examining the current design of the postsecondary system.”

Jones and Skolnik conclude that Ontario’s higher education system could benefit from several new types of postsecondary structures, including teaching-oriented institutions that focus on undergraduate education; collaborative programs; an “open university” that enables learners to combine credits from different institutions and learning experiences; and greater pathways for college students to attain a bachelor’s degree and continue on to graduate study.

“In today’s economy, we can’t rest on our laurels. Our research is aimed at ensuring we know how our system of higher education is working and what needs to be done to keep it working well,” said Norrie. “Our review of the system will look at the full range of opportunities that Ontarians need in order to be competitive in the knowledge economy.”

This paper is the first of a series of research projects and stakeholder consultations that HEQCO plans before developing its advice to the minister on system planning issues. HEQCO is an arm’s-length agency of the Government of Ontario, mandated to conduct research, evaluate the postsecondary education system, and provide policy recommendations to the minister of training, colleges and universities with a view to enhance the quality, access, and accountability of Ontario’s higher education system. President of the council is James Downey, who was president of UW 1993 to 1999.

Earlier last week, the council released its Second Annual Review and Research Plan. This document highlights the Council's research findings over the past year and lays out a comprehensive plan for continuing its research into improving postsecondary education in Ontario.

"Times of economic uncertainty are fertile opportunities for change," said Frank Iacobucci, chair of the Council. "We must ensure that our colleges and universities are able to play their part in ensuring Ontario prospers in the new knowledge economy. With the Second Annual Review and Research Plan, HEQCO has laid out a research program that will help policymakers meet short-term needs while striving towards this long-term goal."

"The Second Annual Research and Review Plan," said Downey, "is issued at a time of considerable uncertainty and challenge for our colleges and universities, including a deepening recession, expected large increases in enrolment (especially in the GTA), and the need for expanded educational pathways. Such challenges necessitate a sound understanding of the system we have in relation to the system we will need in the years ahead. Our report broadens and deepens that understanding."