Minister encouraged by the progress of the White Paper consultations

John Ottenheimer, Minister of Education, is pleased with the consultations that are underway on the White Paper on Post-Secondary Education.

Consultations began in August 2004 with the invitation to key stakeholders, including Memorial University, College of the North Atlantic and student organizations. "Dr. Wayne Ludlow and Mr. Cyril Farrell have advised that our key stakeholders are being creative and frank during these sessions. I look forward to the advice they will be providing," said Minister Ottenheimer.

"This consultation process is a unique approach and one that ensures a wide range of issues in post-secondary education are considered," said Leslie O�Reilly, executive director of the Marine Institute of Memorial University. "The Marine Institute appreciates the opportunity to provide input, and we are looking forward to the White Paper."

To date, stakeholder consultations have been held in various regions of the province, including the northeast Avalon, western and central. In the coming weeks, sessions will be held in Labrador and other regions of the province. Linda Brett, a participant in the consultations from central Newfoundland, commented, "These consultations are providing education, health, economic and community groups with an opportunity to guide the direction of the future of public post-secondary education. We were pleased to contribute to an initiative that will create a better post-secondary education system for both urban and rural Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

While the province-wide consultations are scheduled to conclude in mid-October, Minister Ottenheimer advises that input from individuals and groups can also be submitted through the White Paper link on the Department of Education�s Web site at //www.gov.nl.ca/edu/. Submissions should be made no later than September 30, 2004, to ensure sufficient time for consideration.

Media contact: Nora Daly, Communications, (709) 729-1906

2004 09 24                    1:35 p.m.