Minister encourages submissions to White Paper process

John Ottenheimer, Minister of Education, is pleased today to advise the public on the status of the White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education and encourages input from individuals and groups throughout the province.

In June, Dr. Wayne Ludlow was appointed as commissioner and Cyril Farrell was named advisor to the commissioner on key issues with respect to the College of the North Atlantic (CNA). Consultations are ongoing with selected stakeholders including student organizations, Memorial University, CNA, the Association of Career Colleges, Strategic Social Planning Committees, the Employer's Council, Regional Economic Development Boards and others. Consultations will be conducted throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and are expected to be completed by mid-October.

Minister Ottenheimer noted that, while stakeholder consultation sessions are by invitation, all interested individuals or organizations can submit suggestions via the White Paper Web site or prepare written briefs for submission to the commissioner's office.

"We want to know how Newfoundlanders and Labradorians envision the future of our post-secondary education system," said the minister. "Students, parents, teachers, professors and others can provide valuable, first-hand insight, and I encourage anyone interested to take the time to provide their suggestions or proposals via the Web site, or submit written briefs to the commissioner."

Dr. Ludlow is very pleased with the consultations. "We are delighted with the level of response and support we have received throughout the province thus far. Clearly, the people of this province are interested in the future of our post-secondary education system and what it will mean to the social, economic and labour market realities of tomorrow."

The goal of the White Paper on Post-Secondary Education is to examine public post-secondary concerns, affordability and accessibility, and to identify initiatives that will enhance the employment prospects of graduates. It will address many of the fundamental questions surrounding the existing system as outlined in the Terms of Reference.

The publicly funded post-secondary education delivery system in Newfoundland and Labrador consists of the College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University of Newfoundland, including the Fisheries and Marine Institute and Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. Several health-related programs are offered through regional health boards.

The public is invited to submit their views through the White Paper link on the Department of Education's Web site at //www.gov.nl.ca/edu/. To ensure adequate time for consideration, submissions should be made no later than September 30.

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-0048 or 685-5000

2004 09 03                  11:00 a.m.