New funding to support students transferring to Georgian College
June 18, 2024
Students transferring to Georgian College will experience an even smoother transition and support system, helping them maximize previous learning for future credentials, thanks to $135,000 in new funding the college is receiving for two projects from the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT).
The funding is part of $2.8 million ONCAT is issuing over the next year to 39 new projects at Ontario postsecondary institutions to support learning mobility for students. The Hon. Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, made the announcement yesterday alongside Dr. Adrienne Galway, Executive Director of ONCAT.
ONCAT funding two Georgian projects
One of Georgian’s projects, which received $60,000 in funding, is focused on mapping out the transfer student journey and assessing current databases to provide these students with simpler pathway information, as well as developing policies to maintain database accuracy.
The other project, which received $75,000 in funding, is a comprehensive review of the policies and technology related to student pathways at Georgian, aiming to make the experience more accessible and transparent and to help students make the most of their previous learning.
Georgian’s unrivaled student experience begins even before our students enter through our front doors. We are always striving to make our students’ transitions to college life as straightforward and supported as possible, right from their first encounters with Team Georgian. We are grateful to ONCAT for this valuable funding that will help us positively impact many students’ postsecondary journeys.
– Kevin Weaver, President and CEO, Georgian College and co-chair of the ONCAT board of directors
For parts of these projects, the college will hold focus groups for students interested in exploring pathway opportunities at Georgian to better understand their needs and perspectives, as well as investigate how other postsecondary institutions are operating their own student pathways.
Increased funding will help ‘learners get where they want to go’
All the projects selected for this round of ONCAT funding aim to empower learners by recognizing previous education and professional experiences and facilitating smoother transitions between programs and institutions.
“Empowering learners with accessible pathways to navigate their educational journey is key to helping them achieve their professional and academic goals,” said Galway. “The increased funding will promote improved transitions between institutions and programs, helping learners get where they want to go.”
Georgian, along with other postsecondary institutions across the province, submitted their projects last fall to ONCAT, which is funded by the Government of Ontario.
“The Ontario government is proud to support ONCAT’s important work to make it easier for learners of all backgrounds to pursue their educational goals,” said Dunlop. “By facilitating smoother transitions and recognizing the wealth of knowledge gained through previous experience, we are fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment to advance student success in Ontario.”