Released on April 7, 2011
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris has received the final report of the 2010 Regional College Review.
The Regional Colleges Act requires a review of the regional college system at least once every five years. Dr. Michael Atkinson, Executive Director and Professor of the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy led the review.
"I want to thank Dr. Atkinson and his colleagues for their thoughtful insight and for identifying the opportunities and the challenges faced by the Regional Colleges and the Province," Norris said. "This report will serve as an excellent platform from which we can develop an action plan to refine the Regional College system for the benefit of today's students and students in the future."
The report contains 20 recommendations including:
- The need for a cohesive and co-ordinated Regional College system;
- The need for quality assurance procedures;
- Improved board governance; and
- A modernization of The Regional Colleges Act.
"Saskatchewan's regional colleges are evolving amidst broader global changes in the nature of employment and the availability of post-secondary education," Dr. Atkinson said. "I hope people will read the report and take the recommendations as an opportunity to help colleges and the province respond to the needs of students."
There are seven regional colleges in Saskatchewan, which include: Northlands, North West, Cumberland, Carlton Trail, Parkland, Great Plains and Southeast Regional Colleges. The regional college system is accessed by more than 24,000 students each year.
The Atkinson report Saskatchewan's Regional Colleges: Towards a New System is available at http://www.aeei.gov.sk.ca/regional-college-review-report.
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For more information, contact:
Bill Stovin
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0926