Governance
The higher education system in New Brunswick includes the governing Ministry of Postsecondary Education Training and Labour, related agencies, boards, and commissions, as well as public charted universities, private charted universities, universities recognized under the degree-granting act, public colleges, and other institutions such as private career colleges. The Post-Secondary Education Division of the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour oversees the post-secondary branches including, the Post-Secondary Transformation Unit, the College Support Service Branch, the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, the University Relations Branch, the Private Occupational Training Branch, and the Student Financial Services Branch.
Universities are independently-administered institutions with full autonomy over admissions and all other academic matters. New Brunswick provides funding to four public universities. Private universities do not receive government funding. In addition, the governing bodies of the eleven New Brunswick Community Colleges include provincial government representatives.
Acts
Degree Granting Act
In 2001, New Brunswick adopted the Degree Granting Act, allowing private for-profit institutions to confer university degrees.
Private Occupational Training Act
Besides various government-support from pre-employment, apprenticeship and other vocational programmes, there are also about 65 private training organizations operating in New Brunswick which are required to register under the Private Occupational Training Act. Private sector programs that are considered enhance employment in some form must register programs/courses and instructors in accordance with the Act and its Regulation. Examples of training at post-secondary levels include Dental Assisting, Massage therapy, Truck Driving, Cosmetology, Travel & Tourism, Business Education and Computer related programs.
New Brunswick Community Colleges Act
The New Brunswick Community Colleges Act established two community colleges, one anglophone, the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), and one francophone, Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB), each with its own Board of Governors. Each college also manages its funds separately, but both report to the Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.
Associations
Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU)
Established in 1964, the Association of Atlantic Universities is a voluntary association of the 17 universities in the Atlantic region and in the West Indies which offer programmes leading to a degree or have degree-granting status. One of the fundamental roles of the association is to create greater awareness and understanding of the important contribution of universities to the social and economic development of the Atlantic Provinces. The Association's business is conducted by the AAU Council, which consists of the executive heads of all the member institutions. The AAU currently meets two times a year and is served by a permanent secretariat. The activities of the Association are funded principally through annual membership fees based on the operating income of the member institutions.
Association of Canadian Community Colleges of Canada (ACCC)
The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) was established in 1972. The association interacts with Canadian and international governments, businesses and industries providing representation on behalf of the colleges and institutes of Canadian college members.
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada has represented, since 1911, the non-profit universities and colleges that offer degrees in Canada. The presidents of the universities and colleges of Canada represent their institutions in this association, sharing information and promoting the interests of Canadian higher education.
Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC)
Established on 31 March 2015, the ACUFC (en: Association of Colleges and Universities of the Canadian Francophonie) represents French and bilingual post-secondary colleges and universities outside Quebec. The new association replaces the Association of Universities of the Canadian Francophonie. 20 post-secondary institutions across Canada are members, including Université de Moncton and Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick. The Université of Moncton medical school, Centre de Formation Médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, which is a joint project with the Université de Sherbrooke, is a separate member of the ACUFC.
Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training (CAMET)
The Atlantic ministers responsible for education and training signed an agreement in April 2004 under which the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island agreed to collaborate on joint undertakings to respond to the needs identified in public and post-secondary education. CAMET is dedicated to further enhancing the level of cooperation in public and post-secondary education by working on common issues to improve learning for all Atlantic Canadians, optimize efficiencies and bring added value to provincial initiatives and priorities.
Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC)
The MPHEC was created in 1974 to assist Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and their institutions in attaining a more efficient and effective utilization and allocation of higher education resources. It provides quality assurance, data and information sharing, cooperative action, and regional programmes as well as specific services to one or more provinces or institutions as agreed to by the Ministers of Education.