Universities welcome return of valuable survey

September 14, 2016

News

Collected data will provide accurate information on faculty and researchers at Canada’s universities

OTTAWA – Today’s announcement that Statistics Canada will resume collecting important information about the employment trends in Canada’s universities signals that the government recognizes the key role higher education plays in advancing the country’s innovation and inclusion agendas.

Minister of Science, Kirsty Duncan announced the return of the University and College Academic Staff Survey (UCASS) at Western University in London, Ontario this morning. Minister Duncan’s leadership and understanding of the importance of evidence in policymaking drove the decision to reinstate the survey.

UCASS provided governments, higher education institutions, researchers and policy makers with a detailed socio-economic portrait of full-time academic staff for over 40 years, before being cancelled in 2012 by the previous government.

“This survey is instrumental to university leaders in making informed decisions,” says Paul Davidson, president of Universities Canada. “The findings, for example, can help advance efforts to increase diversity in university teaching and research.”

Universities are also pleased to see swift action to restore UCASS.  Collection for the next survey begins in September 2016 and the first series of results will be released in April 2017.

Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, representing the interests of 97 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities.

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About Universities Canada
Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.

Media contact:

Lisa Wallace
Assistant Director, Communications
Universities Canada
communications@archives.univcan.ca

Tagged:  Research and technology