York Region high schools forge partnership with Ontario's newest university

OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) will announce a unique partnership with the York Catholic District School Board today that promises to provide exceptional learning opportunities for students at three high schools in the region.

The partnership will be formally inaugurated this evening, Tuesday, June 15, at a meeting of the board, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Catholic Education Centre, 320 Bloomington Rd. W. in Aurora. The signing ceremony will include the university's President and Vice-Chancellor, Gary Polonsky, university Registrar Richard Levin, and Board Chair Elizabeth Crowe.

The arrangement will initially involve students enrolled in laptop learning programs at St. Augustine Catholic High School in Markham, St. Robert Catholic High School in Thornhill, and Holy Cross Catholic Academy in Woodbridge.

UOIT is Ontario's only laptop-based university. Specialized learning technology enables professors to teach in innovative ways, and gives each student unparalleled power to access course materials, conduct research, make presentations, and communicate with faculty. Laptop learning also gives students top-flight technology skills that give them a competitive edge in today's job market.

Under the partnership agreement, students at the three high schools will have the opportunity to attend classes at the university or to participate in occasional, enriched classes taught by UOIT faculty at the students' own schools. The university and the board will also seek federal funding to conduct joint research on laptop learning. The partnership is also designed to attract students to the university.

"These schools in York Region have been selected because they're very innovative and because of the high quality of their students," said Greg Beckford, the Educational Outreach and Partnership Coordinator for UOIT. "Through this new partnership, they'll have unique access to a university environment, and they'll be able to build on the skills they've developed in secondary school."

Rom Villani, principal at Holy Cross, said the school is looking forward to a partnership that is mutually beneficial. "We've been looking for this for a long time," he said. "We were the pioneering high school that began the laptop learning program eight years ago, and there really hasn't been a local university that could serve the needs of our laptop students. It's an exciting opportunity."

Students at the three high schools are selected for the laptop program from Grade 8, based on criteria such as marks, community involvement, and an essay. The program is available up to Grade 12.

About the University of Ontario Institute of Technology

As the province's newest university, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. The university offers career-focused undergraduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, justice studies, and education. It is also developing leading-edge research and graduate programs, and is Ontario's first laptop-based university. Sharing selected services with Durham College, UOIT welcomed its first students in September 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 1.866.844.8648.

Media contacts:

John Schofield
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111, ext. 2162
john.schofield@uoit.ca.

Chris Cable
Communications Manager
York Catholic District School Board
905.713-1211, ext. 3003
cablec@ycdsb.edu.on.ca

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.