Universities Canada

Universities Canada

Arms of UC
Motto Vox Eruditionis
Formation June 6, 1911 (First meeting)
Type non profit educational organization
Legal status active
Purpose advocate and public voice, educator and network
Headquarters Canada Ottawa, Ontario
Region served
Canada Canada
Official language
English, French
Website univcan.ca

Universities Canada (French: Universités Canada) is an organization that represents Canada's colleges and universities. It is a non profit national organization that coordinates university policies, guidance and direction.

Formed in 1911, as the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), it represents 97 public and private not-for-profit Canadian Universities and University Colleges in Canada. It provides member services in public policy and advocacy, communications, research and information-sharing, and scholarships and international programs.[1] In April 2015, the organization renamed itself "Universities Canada".[2]

Membership in AUCC along with a provincial charter to grant degrees is used as de facto accreditation in Canada.[3][4][5]

The association produces a number of publications, such as University Affairs magazine and the Directory of Canadian Universities.

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada's Arms, Supporters and Badge were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on May 10, 2004.[6]

Academic Freedom

On 25 October 2011, the AUCC announced a new Statement on Academic Freedom which is expected to become part of the AUCC's criteria for membership. However, at least one critic has expressed the opinion that the Statement, drafted by academic administrators, essentially gives academic administrators the right to determine the limits of such freedom.

Advocacy

The AUCC works in an advocacy role with governments to promote higher education and awareness of the contributions Canada's universities make to the country.[7]

Its priorities are increasing funding for universities' operating and capital costs, research, and international programs, along with improved student assistance.

It is also involved in the government's copyright reform process.[8]

International programs

The association is also active in the international arena,[9] managing several partnerships and programs around the world, particularly with developing countries. The focus of much of AUCC's work is using university partnerships to strengthen governance and to promote sustainable development, goals which reflect Canada's Official Development priorities, CIDA's poverty-reduction mandate, as well as the development priorities of developing countries.

Financed by the Canadian International Development Agency and administered by AUCC, the University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development (UPCD) program has funded 118 projects in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

In furthering curriculum development, strengthening academic departments and training and further education for professors, the UPCD projects focus on collaboration between partner organizations which forge long-lasting institutional linkages.

The Students for Development program is geared toward senior-level university students and faculty members from Canadian universities, who work together with partners in developing world to promote good governance.

AUCC also manages several other international programs open to Canadian universities and see involvement in technical assistance projects involving a number of institutions, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank.

Arms

See also

Higher education in Canada by province or territory

References

  1. ↑ "About us - Universities Canada". univcan.ca. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  2. ↑ "Our history". Universities Canada. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
  3. ↑ British Columbia Council on Admissions & Transfer
  4. ↑ Dave Marshall (President, Mount Royal College) (2004-08-30), Degree Accreditation in Canada (PDF), Presentation at International Consortium for Education and Economic Development, 2004 Annual Conference, February 18 – 21, 2004, Cancún, Quintana Roo, México, retrieved 2010-06-01
  5. ↑ "Membership eligibility". Universities Canada. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
  6. ↑ http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=382 Arms and Badge
  7. ↑ AUCC. Corporate brochure
  8. ↑ Copyright Reform Process - Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
  9. ↑ AUCC - Programs and Services
  10. ↑ Canadian Heraldic Authority (Volume IV), Ottawa, 2004, p. 376
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