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TORONTO, Nov. 30 /CNW/ – The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) released a new report today to mark the launch of its annual lobby conference at Queen’s Park. The report, entitled Ontario’s Knowledge Economy: The Economic Impact of Post-Secondary Education, emphasizes the need for increased investment in universities to ensure Ontario’s long-term prosperity.
“Money given to universities is an immediate and powerful economic stimulus,” said Dan Moulton, OUSA President. “We know that 70% of future jobs will require a post-secondary education, and in order to compete in the knowledge economy of the future, the Ontario government must continue investing in high-quality and accessible universities.”
Investment in higher education provides an individual return on investment of up to 28%. University graduates make up just 22% of the population yet they contribute 41% of income taxes. Moulton added, “five years ago the Province made a large investment in higher education with its reaching higher plan. We think that the Province needs to build on the successes of this investment instead of cashing out the future of Ontario’s students when they are most in need.”
The report highlights current gaps in Ontario’s higher education system such as rising student-faculty ratios, lower quality, and lower per-student funding than other provinces in Canada.
A number of partner organizations have joined with students to support the report’s recommendations. These include the Council of Ontario Universities, Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, and the Ontario Association of Food Banks.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
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