First symposium on francophones' access to postsecondary education in ontario held at OISE
October 25, 2010
by: André Tremblay
On Friday, October 22, OISE hosted a one-day symposium on francophones’ access to postsecondary education in Ontario. Attended by 150 participants including several researchers, educators, professionals and students from the province and beyond, the event featured guest speakers from various ministries, organizations, francophone and bilingual colleges and universities who have researched the subject and are authorities in the field.
The symposium was a natural follow-up to the report published in June 2009 by Normand Labrie (OISE), Sylvie Lamoureux (formerly from OISE, now at the University of Ottawa) and Denise Wilson (Research Officer) that shed new light on the topic based on statistical data analysis of actual postsecondary enrolment of Francophones in Ontario.
Several leads came from the round tables and Q&A periods organized around various aspects of access to postsecondary education, including institutional research and challenges, transitions and student experiences, and resources, needs and visions.
The event was organized by a committee made up of CREFO members and led by professor Labrie and Lamoureux.
Dean Julia O’Sullivan delivered a welcome address and CREFO’s Acting Chair Diane Gérin-Lajoie greeted the guest speakers and participants with wishes for a very productive day. The event ended with a well-attended reception at Trattoria Fieramosca.
More activities on the issue of access to postsecondary education are expected to follow this highly successful symposium in the next few months.