Building the best possible post-secondary system for Alberta
The Council of Post-secondary Presidents of Alberta brings together 26 presidents from post-secondary institutions across our province. Our purpose is to build the best possible post-secondary system for our province.
Post-secondary education is an engine for job creation and social prosperity in Alberta
In the past, post-secondary institutions led the R&D and trained the skilled workers that sparked Alberta’s economy. Alberta’s universities, colleges and polytechnics are poised to do it again.
Alberta’s post-secondary institutions express the values Albertans hold most dear—the optimism and drive to achieve your goals through hard work and persistent study. Our 26 institutions of higher learning build up Alberta’s economy and cultivate the next generation of talent.
Alberta 2030 Transforming Post-Secondary Education
The government of Alberta announced their intention to proceed with the review of the post-secondary education system in Alberta on June 12th 2020. As the review proceeds, we plan to engage in the process with all stakeholders based on the following guiding principles, which we believe, are crucial to co-creating the vision and long-term strategy for the future of post-secondary education.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
As the collective voice for our twenty-six member post-secondary institutions, we will collaborate throughout this review process and beyond, committed to:
Relevant Quality Life-long Learning
Provide accessible, affordable, high value life-long learning opportunities, and research that will drive innovation, support skill development, enhance economic diversification, build social and cultural prosperity and enhance human capital
Support Economic Development
Support economic development throughout Alberta by working with industry to align discovery and applied research programming with current and future labour market needs
Education Through Experience
Expand applied learning opportunities, such as community based work integrated learning including apprenticeship and cooperative education experiences to meet current and future labour market demand
Efficient Transfer System
Provide seamless pathways for learners between certificate, diploma and bachelor programs, as well as opportunities to progress to graduate studies
Globally Competitive/Fiscally Responsible
Lead a post-secondary learning system that supports the goals of Alberta as a globally competitive jurisdiction while operating as fiscally responsible publicly supported institutions
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Support equity, diversity and inclusion in our programs and policies
Coordinated Recruitment Strategies
Increase participation in post-secondary education through recruitment strategies for domestic, indigenous and international learners
Continuous Improvement
Ensure the highest possible value for the investments made by our learners, governments, communities, industry and our donors by making evidence based and data informed changes that improve service delivery.
Post-secondary ignited Alberta’s economic engine
Alberta’s history as an economic powerhouse started with research and training. For example, Karl Clark's research resulted in the discovery of how to separate bitumen from oil sands in the 1920s. That eureka moment transformed into practical workplace know-how through decades of investment in research and training within Alberta’s post-secondary institutions.
Become the best in Canada at turning research and training into progress
Alberta’s post-secondary education system is a critical engine for job creation and the economic and social prosperity of Alberta. Research, innovation and skills development act as the catalyst. Creating the next great Albertan innovation starts with a commitment to research—even that which seems impractical at first. Preparing the next generation of Alberta workers starts with integrating work and learning. As automation erodes entry-level jobs, companies will expect students to mix higher level technical and soft skills. Investing in work-integrated learning like internships, apprenticeships and start-up incubators let future graduates hit the ground running.