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CHAIRED BY JACK MINTZ, ECONOMIST

New panel to examine post-secondary funding options for Alberta

Nov 7, 2024 | 5:08 PM

The Government of Alberta is establishing a panel to review and evaluate post-secondary institution funding in an effort to ensure it’s used efficiently and effectively.

The panel will be chaired by economist Jack Mintz and will also look at higher education funding models from across Canada and around the world, while assessing Alberta’s ability to compete on a global level with excellence in higher education.

“Our students deserve to have the best opportunities to pursue their career aspirations and create prosperity for our province. The expert panel on post-secondary institution funding and competitiveness will enhance our ability to achieve the goals of the Alberta 2030 strategy, as we strive to make our post-secondary system the very best it can be – the best in the world,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education.

The panel will consist of individuals with experience in the publicly funded post-secondary system, and appointments are expected to be completed by December 31.

“We must make sure that our institutions have a funding model that prioritizes excellence in teaching and research. If successful, Alberta post-secondary institutions will be a magnet for the best students and faculty,” commented Mintz, President’s Fellow for the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy.

The panel’s work is expected to commence in early 2025 and include engagement with public post-secondary institutions and independent academic institutions. There will be a comprehensive report summarizing the findings of the review, expected to be delivered later in the year.

The final report and recommendations will include assessments of:

  • Current and alternative funding mechanisms
  • Impacts of federal immigration policies on Alberta’s post-secondary institutions (PSIs)
  • The cost of the administrative and regulatory burden on PSIs
  • The overall competitiveness of Alberta’s higher education system