Minister’s Advisory Council on Higher Education and Skills (MACHES)

Overview

Alberta Advanced Education focuses on the province’s adult learning system. This includes post-secondary education and research, apprenticeship and industry training, community adult learning and literacy, and financial supports for adult students. Alberta’s government is committed to providing an accessible, innovative, and high-quality adult learning system for Albertans. Education helps unlock the potential in our society. Creative, passionate and hardworking graduates help Alberta remain strong and competitive in a global environment.

Established in June 2022 under the Post-secondary Learning Act,  the Minister’s Advisory Council on Higher Education and Skills (MACHES) is a system-level council informed by visionary thinking, stakeholder engagement, and global trends.

It is responsible for advising the minister on metrics for measuring performance, long-term strategic goals for the direction of Alberta’s advanced education system, and any other matters as requested by the Minister.

Rules of conduct governing the professional and ethical responsibilities of council members is provided in the Code of Conduct for the Council.

Membership

The council consists of not more than nine members (including the co-chairs) that reflect the Alberta government’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Each member is selected to serve a term of one to three years.

Current Membership:

Dr. James Barmby, Co-chair

Dr. Barmby has over 25 years of experience in the ranks of senior leadership at universities and colleges in Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.   Prior to his tenure in public and private institutions, James held positions at Alberta Advanced Education, where he reported directly to the Deputy Minister and later the Minister.  Recently the Associate Vice-President, Government Relations at NSCAD University, James has extensive experience in government policy, the development of employment-related curriculum, program approvals and accreditation, strategic enrollment management of domestic and international students, university-government relations, and a full range of student services. Throughout his career, James has always been actively engaged in the community, including serving as the Chair of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Education and Training Committee, Foundation Director of the Salmon Arm Rotary Club, and President of the Alberta Playwrights Network. Born and raised in Alberta, a graduate of both the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, James has a PhD from the University of British Columbia, which was the result of researching the 35-year period of relations between senior officials of Alberta's universities and Advanced Education, a period which culminated in the establishment of the Campus Alberta Quality Council.  James is highly collaborative, and loves the challenge of bringing people together to solve problems and seize opportunities.

Ms. Anne Rimmer, Co-chair

Ms. Rimmer is a Deputy Director in the Skills Group at the UK's Department for Education where she is currently responsible for the Lifelong Learning Entitlement funding reforms. Between 2020 and 2022 Anne was a Policy Analyst in the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Cities and Regions at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In this role, she provided recommendations and analysis to higher OECD member states on global trends related to higher education, with a specific focus on identifying best practices and innovations for higher education institutions to support their local ecosystems. Prior to 2020 Anne was the Deputy Director for Higher Education Quality and Regulation within the UK’s Department of Education, with oversight of the independent regulator of England’s higher education sector and of the Teaching Excellence Framework. At the Department for Education, Anne delivered on Ministerial priorities related to international student exchanges, higher education reform including metrics for assessing performance, and supporting successful student outcomes. Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, Anne started her career in the Canadian Public Service. She is a graduate of the University of Oxford (UK).

Dr. Frank Cotae

Dr. Cotae is an associate professor teaching International Business and Strategy courses at Mount Royal University, Alberta. He has worked for a Fortune 500 company and in over 90 countries as an operations manager, director, and strategist. As an entrepreneur, he developed his own consulting practice, owned several franchise operations in the United States, and has served as a Chief Financial Officer and advisor for start-up companies. His professional efforts in Alberta have focused on technologies for reducing costs and carbon footprint for oil, gas, manufacturing and commercial operations. Frank has taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels in North America and Europe. His research interests focus on the internationalization theory, strategy, emerging and developing markets, micro-credit, experiential learning and international development. Dr. Cotae has authored hundreds of country and industry reports, operations manuals, and academic papers while his textbooks are the first in Canada, to recognize the economic, socio-cultural and historic contribution made by Indigenous people, in his field of study. Frank enlists collaboration with provincial, national, and international organizations and industry stakeholders for the purpose of informing his development of curriculum that reflects the employers’ and industry needs for graduate skills. Dr. Cotae has earned a doctorate in International Business (ISM), MBA (UOP) and a Bachelor of Arts in Finance (CSUF) in the USA.

Mrs. Darshana Dave

Mrs. Dave is the Director of Applied Research and Innovation at Keyano College. She holds a Master of Science in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology. She has completed post-secondary programs in Business, Project Management, and Marketing. Darshana has extensive experience tailoring strategies and tactics to meet local, provincial, national, and global business goals. She also understands the stakeholder landscape and has experience fostering trusting relationships and collaboration with stakeholders within various regions of Alberta. She has knowledge and expertise in the higher education sector locally, nationally, and internationally from her experience working with various universities and institutes in Alberta, British Columbia, India, China, Japan, and the USA. In her career, Darshana has been instrumental in developing business incubators, startups, technology makerspace, and several innovative initiatives highlighting her ability to take a long-term and forward-thinking perspective. She focuses on analytical and system thinking and strategic planning to achieve impactful results in her work. Darshana brings a broad range of experience from her work in various industries, including Technology, Manufacturing, Non-Profits, Post-Secondary, Startups, and Project Management.

Dr. David Finch

Dr. Finch holds a PhD in management and is an active educator, scholar, and practitioner. He currently holds several academic appointments including as a Professor at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business, a Visiting Fellow at the Henley Business School at the University of Reading (UK), and the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. As a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Community Prosperity, Dr. Finch leads the Institute’s CityXLab. This lab explores the role of place in developing, attracting, and retaining human capital. Most recently, Dr. Finch co-authored a study with the Canada West Foundation on Alberta youth migration, and a study of Calgary’s skills ecosystem for Calgary Economic Development. Dr. Finch has authored over 50 scholarly articles in journals such as the Academy of Management Learning & Education, Higher Education, International Journal of Management Education, Journal of Business Ethics, and Industry and Higher Education. Prior to academia, Dr. Finch held progressively senior roles in areas of corporate strategy with Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, and Harris Corporation.

Mr. Tim Ogilvie

Mr. Ogilvie is the Vice President and Dean of MCG College. With over 20 years of senior leadership experience in academic, operations and business fields. Focusing on partnership creation, policy development, transformation strategies and innovation, Tim has obtained awarding-winning success in both public and private settings. He holds 4 Renaissance awards for college performance and one Parthenon award for student recruitment and growth. He also earned the Curriculum award from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and was chosen as an ambassador to the country of Qatar. In addition to numerous certifications, he holds post-graduate diplomas in Network Engineering and Strategic Higher Education Leadership alongside a Masters of Global Management and is currently completing a Doctorate in Education Leadership focusing on the role of private post-secondary institutions in Canada. Mr. Ogilvie sits on the board of directors for the Alberta Association of Career Colleges, Advisor to the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals, and volunteers as a local museum docent and soccer coach.

Dr. Terry Rock

Dr. Rock is President & CEO of Platform Calgary, an organization focused on driving growth and velocity in Calgary’s tech and innovation ecosystem. Platform works with over 70 partners to advance startup founders, investors, tech talent and corporate innovators in the new Platform Innovation Centre in Calgary's East Village. Terry’s previous experience has covered a wide variety of contexts and industries. He has been Executive Director of the Alberta Small Brewers Association and founding CEO of Calgary Arts Development Authority. He worked on Civic Partnerships at the City of Calgary, and was an Assistant Professor in Strategy at the University of Calgary. Terry has contributed to the community through volunteering on the TELUS Calgary Community Board, and the boards of Sled Island Music & Arts Festival, Hillhurst United Church, Calgary Cultural Capital 2012, the 2008 and 2016 Calgary-hosted Juno Awards, and was on the founding board of cSPACE Projects. He was the Chair of the AIESEC Canada board where he had been President in the early 90’s. Dr. Rock holds a PhD in Management with a focus on Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Texas Tech University, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing (with Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Elka Walsh

Dr. Walsh, passionate about student success and preparing Canadians to thrive in the digital future, leads Microsoft’s pan-Canadian learning and skills strategy as National Learning and Skills Lead. She is a leader in education with over 20 years of experience ranging from executive positions at colleges and polytechnics, to Chief Education and Learning Officer at one of Canada’s largest science centres and as founder of UDiscover Learning Inc. Dr. Walsh has also advised provincial and federal governments and international organizations on education and skilling strategy and policy. She has earned a reputation for leading innovative change initiatives at scale that result in tangible outcomes. Dr. Walsh holds a PhD and Master’s degree from McMaster University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts from University of Toronto. She has taught at Humber College and McMaster University.

Contact

Connect with the Minister’s Advisory Council on Higher Education and Skills:

Email: [email protected]

Address:
Minister’s Advisory Council on Higher Education and Skills
Advanced Education
23rd Floor, Commerce Place
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4G8