ACIFA

Government & Policy

July 27, 2004

Council established to review degree-granting proposals

Edmonton ... The Campus Alberta Quality Council has been established to review proposals from post-secondary institutions that wish to offer new degree programs.

"The Post-secondary Learning Act has opened the door to new degree-completion opportunities and greater flexibility for institutions to respond to student needs," said Learning Minister Dr. Lyle Oberg. "The work of this council will ensure that new degree programs are of the high quality Albertans have come to expect of their post-secondary institutions."

Institutions wanting to offer a new degree program must present a proposal to the Minister of Learning, who will look at factors such as whether there is a need for the program. The proposal will then go to the council, which will review it to ensure quality and make recommendations to the Minister.

University of Alberta professor Dr. Doug Owram will chair the new council. "I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues to establish the mechanisms that will continue to ensure Albertans have access to quality degrees," Owram said. "This new team combines a lot of different talents and experience, and I'm looking forward to beginning our work."

The council will begin its work this summer by establishing the conditions and standards institutions must meet to be approved to offer degree programs. It is expected the first degree-proposals will be reviewed this fall. Once a degree program is approved, the council will conduct ongoing monitoring to ensure that quality standards continue to be met.

"These members were carefully chosen to ensure this council will hold the highest degree of credibility in Alberta and across the country," Oberg added. "They are objective, forward-thinking individuals, who are highly respected by the post-secondary system and have demonstrated an understanding and support for lifelong learning."

Council members may be appointed for up to three years, after which they may be extended for another three-year term.

This announcement is available on the Internet at: http://www.learning.gov.ab.ca/news

For more information contact:

Josepha Vanderstoop
Learning Communications
(780) 427-0965
Cell: (780) 718-2370
To be connected toll free dial 310-0000

Backgrounder

Campus Alberta Quality Council

Name	Position	Related Experience
Dr. Doug Owram	Chair	Dr. Owram is a professor and ex-Provost and Vice-President Academic at the University of Alberta . Dr. Owram has held several provincial and national committee positions.
Dr. Mamoru (Mo) Watanabe	Calgary University	Dr. Watanabe is Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Calgary , former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and chair of several provincial and national health and research committees.
Dan Gaynor	Calgary Public	Dan Gaynor is the retired president and publisher of The Calgary Herald and has extensive experience in committee membership and leadership development.
Dr. Dianne K. Kieren	Edmonton University	Dr. Kieren is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta , former Associate Vice-President Academic, chair of the Private Colleges Accreditation Board (PCAB) and a member of a number of other related committees.
Dr. S. Keith Ward	Edmonton Private/ Public	Dr. Ward is the retiring Vice-President, Academic of The King's University College , a previous member of PCAB, and a member of a number of other committees.
Dr. J. Peter Meekison	Out-of-Province	Dr. Meekison is a former chair of both the department of law and political science, previous Vice-President Academic at the University of Alberta and adjunct professor at the University of Victoria . Dr. Meekison has played a key role in many provincial, national and international committees.
Dr. Adel Sedra	Out-of-Province	Dr. Sedra is the Dean of Engineering at the University of Waterloo and the previous Vice-President, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at the University of Toronto . In addition Dr. Sedra serves on a number of federal committees.
Michael D. Faulkner	Urban College or public	Michael Faulkner is the retiring Vice-President, Academic at Fairview College , has been a vice-president with various colleges in Alberta , and has worked with Alberta Treasury.
Dr. Gary MacKinnon	South College or public	Dr. MacKinnon is the retired Superintendent of Golden Hills School District, a sessional instructor at University of Calgary and Lethbridge , and has served on several committees relating to the development of education opportunities.
Cliff Soper	Central College or public	Cliff Soper is a retired Professor of St. Xavier University, instructor and Dean of Red Deer College and a county councillor.
Lucille Walter	ACAT Chair	Lucille Walter is Chair of the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer, member of Region Six Children's Services Authority Board, retired teacher and councillor, and former executive member of the U of A Alumni and Senate.

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