Each province in Canada is responsible for its higher education. Newfoundland and Labrador has a small but effective system of higher education institutions. Its system is also unique in Canada as it is the only system with one university and one college. Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) is categorized as a comprehensive, degree-granting university, and the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) provides diverse technical and career-oriented certificates, apprenticeship and diploma programmes with university-level transfer courses. The Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) is linked to MUN and provides fisheries and marine technology training. Several health-related programs are also offered through regional health authorities. There are also 25 provincially registered private training institutions.
Main laws/decrees governing higher education
Memorial University Act (amended 1991) - Memorial University of Newfoundland
College Act 1996 - College of the North Atlantic
Private Training Institutions Act 1997 - private training institutions
The Degree Granting Act 1998 - Memorial University of Newfoundland
Apprenticeship and Certification Act 1999 - apprenticeship programs of the skilled trades
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Established in 1925 as a two-year university preparation school and a living memorial to the Newfoundlanders who died in active service during World War I, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) was granted full degree-granting status in 1949 and now has approximately 18,000 students, 1000 faculty members and 1,500 support staff. Approximately 9% of its student body are international students, and 18% from other Canadian provinces, such as Nova Scotia. With four campuses across the province, it is the largest institution in the area. More than 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered throughout six faculties (arts, business, education, medicine, engineering and applied science, science), five schools (music, human kinetics and recreation, nursing, pharmacy, social work) and one institute (Marine Institute).
The government deals directly with the university on budgetary and policy matters; however, the Board of Regents has a wide latitude in most operational areas and is responsible for the management, administration, and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the university.
College of the North Atlantic
In the mid-1990s, the provincial government closed four public college campuses. Shortly afterward, in 1997, the remaining 18 campuses were amalgamated to create the College of the North Atlantic, which provides diploma and certificate programs throughout the province. Now on 17 campuses in the province and one campus in Qatar in the Middle East, the college offers over 100 full-time certificate and diploma programs and 300 part-time courses in areas such as business, engineering technology, industrial education/trades, information communications technology, and tourism. The college's programs are developed in cooperation with industry to ensure graduates have the skills that are in demand in the job market, and are constantly updated to meet current industry standards. Government's role with respect to the college is to develop and enforce legislation; provide necessary resources, leadership, direction and support through the development of clear policies and priorities; and implement provincial strategies. The Board of Governors for the College of the North Atlantic is responsible for directing the affairs of the institutions, determining courses and programs and enacting bylaws for the conduct of business.
Private career colleges
The 25 privately operated career colleges in Newfoundland and Labrador provide career oriented education and training. Courses are reviewed internally, and approved by the Department of Education to ensure program quality and integrity. All programs are kept current with industry demands through meetings with industry personnel, and taught by instructors approved by the Department of Education. Over 175 programs are offered, that focus on helping students prepare for their chosen profession, which can range from flight training to welding to computer training to business administration. Programs are recognized and approved by the relevant regulating bodies, ensuring students receive a recognized diploma.
Associations
Council on Higher Education (CHE)
The Council on Higher Education (CHE), which was originally established in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1992, was recognized in legislation through the Council on Higher Education Act in 2006 as a result of a directive outlined in a 2005 White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education. The CHE promotes collaboration in the public post-secondary education system by providing recommendations to Memorial University (MUN), the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and the Minister of Education. The legislation enables the Council to function as the mechanism for cooperation among its members in joint planning and coordination of common activities within the public education system. The legislation also requires the institutions to demonstrate greater connectedness with each other and strong accountability to the public. Furthermore, the legislation facilitates the institutions in establishing new operational alignments in support of an integrated approach where all parts of the education system work closely together. The Articulation, Transfer and Admissions Committee (ATAC) is mandated by Council to coordinate the articulation process at the College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University, optimize student accessibility and enhance student mobility through the transfer of credits.
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.
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.
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
The role of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills of the provincial government is to support and oversee post-secondary education, to ensure the province has a skilled workforce and highly educated graduates to support the economy. It is composed of five branches:
Community and Social Development
Corporate Services
Post-Secondary Education
Regional Service Delivery
Workforce Development and Immigration