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NEWS RELEASE 

 ONTARIO COUNCIL ON ARTICULATION AND TRANSFER SUPPORTS POSTSECONDARY LEARNER MOBILITY  

June 17, 2024  

TORONTO – Dr. Adrienne Galway, Executive Director of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) was joined by Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, and Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO of Humber College, to announce 39 new projects focused on supporting postsecondary learner mobility.  

In Fall of 2023, ONCAT initiated calls for projects for greater accessibility and impact within the postsecondary sector. This call was met with an unprecedented number of applications from postsecondary institutions, demonstrating a growing interest to support greater learner mobility, expand access to postsecondary opportunities and improve pathways to the labour market.   

Over the next year, ONCAT is flowing over $2.8 million to support learner mobility projects at 35 colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes in Ontario. These projects aim to empower learners by recognizing previous education and professional experiences and facilitating smoother transitions between programs and institutions. For example, funded projects include:  

• Exploring a new pathway for graduates of Centennial College’s Registered Practical Nursing (RPN) Bridging Program to apply into Lakehead University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) programs.   
• Creating a self-assessment tool at Humber College to guide learners in evaluating the knowledge, skills, and attitudes gained from prior learning against relevant course learning outcomes, helping students save time and money to earn their credential.  
• Develop resources and programming that support the academic success and social connectivity of transfer students at York University. The project will enhance the overall experience of transfer students by building academic skills, exploring career development, and fostering personal wellbeing.   
• Developing an institutional micro-credential framework, guidelines, and templates at Carleton University. The goal is to create institutional capacity to offer micro-credentials, increase learners’ mobility, and help with their transition to the workforce.    
• Expanding a network of transfer pathways from engineering technology diplomas to accredited engineering degrees. Led by Queen’s University, this diploma-to-degree transfer pathway involves the participation of four universities and over 10 colleges in Ontario.  

"Empowering learners with accessible pathways to navigate their educational journey is key to helping them achieve their professional and academic goals,” said Dr. Galway. “The increased funding will promote improved transitions between institutions and programs, helping learners get where they want to go."   

“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 Minister Jill 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.”  

“We are thrilled to be an ONCAT partner institution working together to help drive student success at Humber,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan. “Our goal is to guide students towards their personal, professional and educational aspirations. This funding will significantly improve our ongoing efforts to break down barriers that prevent access to transfer opportunities as well as shape a future in which every student’s journey is supported and celebrated.”  

Learn more about ONCAT-funded projects here.  

About ONCAT 

Established in 2011, the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer plays a pivotal role in supporting learner mobility, working to reduce barriers for students seeking to transfer among the province's public colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes. For more information, visit www.oncat.ca. ONCAT is funded by the Government of Ontario. 

Media Contact:  Rachel Houpt, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, ONCAT 

                              Email: rhoupt@oncat.ca