Posted on 10/14/2015, 11:00 am, by mySteinbach

The University of Manitoba and its students will benefit from an unprecedented investment in their future thanks to a $150-million commitment to the University of Manitoba’s Front and Centre campaign. This announcement was made by Premier Greg Selinger, adding the investment is part of a plan to support innovation at universities and colleges to grow the economy and help students get the skills they need to get good jobs here in Manitoba.

“We know that students want to have access to the best programming and opportunities they can, and that’s why we’re focusing our investments in key priorities areas like innovation, inclusion and teaching excellence,” said Premier Selinger. “This investment means that Manitoba students can get a world-class, affordable and accessible education right here at home and be ready for the jobs of tomorrow.”

The premier noted that ensuring more Indigenous student success, better supports for research and innovation, and doing more to promote women entering science, technology, math and engineering are key to building a better province and having a thriving economy.

“We know that parents value quality education and want us to make sure that when their children go on to post-secondary education they are getting the supports and skills they need to succeed,” said Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum. “Our government has a record of investing in universities and colleges, and we will reject those that call investing in our students wasteful.”

The minister noted the provincial government has provided more than $1 billion in capital support to Manitoba’s universities and colleges since 1999. This funding has supported projects such as the University of Manitoba’s Active Living Centre and engineering building, the University of Winnipeg’s science complex, RecPlex and McFeetors Hall, Red River College’s Patterson Global Foods Institute and Exchange District Campus expansion, Université de Saint-Boniface’s Pavillon Marcel-A.-Desautels and the Brandon University’s health studies complex and Healthy Living Centre.

“This support from the government of Manitoba is a visionary investment in the future of this province,” said Dr. David Barnard, president and vice-chancellor, University of Manitoba. “This strategic funding will benefit all Manitobans and those in the generations to come, educating a new generation of people who will help transform our community.”