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September 16, 2005
Albertans asked for input into advanced education review
Online survey and regional meetings to give Albertans a strong voice
Edmonton... The advanced education review - A Learning Alberta: Framing the Challenge - is entering its next phase, with the launch of an online survey and stakeholder meetings across the province, giving Albertans an opportunity to help shape the future of adult learning in Alberta.
"The review steering committee has undertaken a very thorough consultation with stakeholders as well as hundreds of interested Albertans, which is helping to shape our policy framework," said Hancock. "But now we want to hear what Albertans have to say. We want to know if they think we're on the right track, and how they envision the advanced education system of the future."
Over the summer, the committee received feedback from institutions, students, community groups, literacy groups, the public, and parents on a wide range of issues. Some of the innovative ideas that came out of the first phase of consultation include enhancements to student assistance programs to increase accessibility for Albertans, more flexible programs and program delivery to expand access, and a greater focus on strengthening the ability of communities to respond to adult learning needs locally.
Albertans are encouraged to visit the A Learning Alberta online survey and provide input on a proposed policy framework, developed by the steering committee. The survey can be found at
"The Alberta government has made it a top priority to increase access to advanced education throughout the province," said Advanced Education Minister Dave Hancock. "We believe that every motivated Albertan should have the opportunity to achieve his or her maximum potential and we're taking action to make sure that happens."
The input gathered from survey submissions, regional meetings and MLA consultations will feed into a Minister's Forum on November 1st and 2nd in Edmonton. At the forum, representatives from across the advanced learning system will review the steering committee's work, as well as input from Albertans, to help set the direction of Alberta's advanced education system in the 21st century.
The steering committee includes MLAs Cindy Ady, Ray Danyluk and Doug Griffiths, as well as 14 Albertans with strategic knowledge of the advanced learning system.
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Note to Editors: Minister Hancock will be available for a media call-in at 11:00 a.m. on
Friday, Sept. 16. Reporters can call 403-232-6311 (Southern Alberta) or 780-424-5694 (Northern Alberta) and dial passcode 4779739# to participate in the call-in.
A backgrounder is attached to this news release.
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Cameron Traynor
Advanced Education Communications
(780) 422-5400
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Backgrounder
Online survey
The A Learning Alberta: Framing the Challenge online survey provides Albertans with the opportunity to review the current proposed policy framework in detail, as well as provide written comments. The survey can be accessed at
Regional stakeholder meetings
Steering committee members will hold meetings by invitation with advanced education stakeholders across the province. The meetings will be geared to reviewing the committee's proposed framework, and participants will be able to provide ideas for the advanced education system.
The regional meeting schedule is as follows:
- September 19 - Grande Prairie (Quality Hotel and Convention Centre)
- September 21 - Edmonton (regional meeting) (Telus Centre)
- September 26 - Calgary (Aboriginal stakeholder meeting) (Palomino Room, Round-Up Centre)
- September 27 - Calgary (regional meeting) (Palomino Room, Round-Up Centre)
- October 3 - Lethbridge (Lethbridge Lodge)
- October 6 - Fort McMurray (Quality Hotel and Convention centre)
- October 12 - Edmonton (Aboriginal stakeholder meeting) (Telus Centre)
All meetings will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Minister's Forum
November 1st and 2nd
Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton
The Minister's Forum in Edmonton will bring together over 250 advanced education stakeholders from across Alberta to review the steering committee's work, help finalize a policy framework and develop a new direction for the advanced education system.
Forum participants will be selected by post-secondary institutions and organizations. The forum will include representation from universities, colleges, technical institutes, community programs, students, Aboriginal groups, and literacy and adult learning programs.
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Media enquiries may be directed to:
Cameron Traynor
Advanced Education Communications
(780) 422-5400
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Copyright(c); 2005 Government of Alberta
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