New French University College Proclaimed

Nova Scotia officially has a new French university-college.

The new Université Sainte-Anne-Collège de l'Acadie will improve student access to French post-secondary education in the province. Legislation for the new institution was proclaimed Thursday, Jan. 23.

"This union means long-term sustainability of university and college programs for French-speaking students," said Education Minister Angus MacIsaac. "It also means more skilled, bilingual graduates who can contribute to Nova Scotia's culture and economy."

The new institution will be able to offer college and university programs and courses in French to more students across the province. It will also build on Collège de l'Acadie's existing expertise in distance education to reach more students in the province and abroad.

"We're building on the well-established strengths of both the university and the college," said André Roberge, president of the new institution. "We'll be able to offer more programs and services, while maintaining our focus on meeting students' needs."

Provincial legislation was passed in November to integrate Université Sainte Anne and Collège de l'Acadie.

The proclamation of the legislation allows the former boards of governors to dissolve and a transitional board to come into effect. The institution can now re-assign staff to make more efficient use of human resources.

About $15 million in federal and provincial funding will support the merger process. The new institution now has legal authority to spend this funding.