Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario

Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
Established 2005[1]
President Dr. Harvey P. Weingarten
Location Canada Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Website http://www.heqco.ca/

The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) is an independent advisory agency funded by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities (TCU) to provide recommendations for improving quality, accessibility, inter-institutional transfer, system planning, and effectiveness in higher education in Ontario. In 2005, the provincial government established the Council through the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act[2] and appointed Frank Iacobucci as its Chair.[3]

Sheridan College 2

Background

In 2005, Bob Rae released a comprehensive review of postsecondary education entitled Ontario: A leader in learning or more commonly known as the Rae Report or Rae Review. The report included a recommendation to change the structure of higher education in Ontario by adding an independent and objective Council on Higher Education to monitor the dynamic changes of post-secondary institutions in order to provide advice to government on the overall system.[4][5] The provincial government acted on this recommendation and created an independent advisory agency to provide assessment and advice to improve higher education in Ontario.[6] In 2005, the provincial government established the Council through the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act as part of the provincial government's Reaching Higher six-year plan for higher education.[7][8] In January 2007, the Council announced the appointment of James Downey as its first president.[9] During its first year of operation ending in March 2007, the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities approved a budget of $1.1 million for operations and $700,000 for purchasing initial assets.[10] The Council's 2011 operating budget is $5 million. Dr. Harvey P. Weingarten became President and CEO of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario on July 1, 2010.[11]

Research

The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario employs a multifaceted research approach with a view to developing meaningful policy recommendations and publishing reports and other publications that inform the postsecondary education community in Ontario, Canada and around the world. To date, more than 100 research papers and reports have been produced, with approximately 40 additional papers in development. The Council's research publications are available on their website at www.heqco.ca under the "Research" heading.[12]

Hosted events

The Council regularly hosts workshops, conferences and other events to advance its broad research agenda. These events offer researchers from across the sector valuable opportunities to share knowledge, develop new approaches and support the ongoing improvement of Ontario’s postsecondary education system.[13] HEQCO has organized 13 events to date, with more planned in the coming year.[14] Information on upcoming HEQCO events can be found at www.heqco.ca in the "Events" section.

References

  1. ↑ Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (n.d.). About us. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from http://www.heqco.ca/inside.php?&ID=1
  2. ↑ "HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY COUNCIL OF ONTARIO, O. Reg. 336/06". Queen's Printer for Ontario. 2005. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  3. ↑ Brown, Louise (2007-07-26). "Studying the Ivory Tower". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  4. ↑ "THE RAE REPORT". University of Saskatchewan, On Campus News. 2005-02-18. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  5. ↑ Skolnik, M. L. (2005). The Rae Review and the structure of postsecondary education in Ontario. In C. M. Beach (Ed.), A challenge for higher education in Ontario (pp. 21 - 22). Kingston, ON: John Deutsch Institute for the Study of Economic Policy.
  6. ↑ Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (n.d.). 2006/07 Annual Report. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from http://www.heqco.ca/assets/HEQCO%20Annual%20Report%202006-07%20EN.pdf, p. 1.
  7. ↑ "Public Investment and Accountability". Engaging the Future: Draft Report of the Task Force on Strategic Planning. University of Western Ontario. 2006-06-22. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  8. ↑ Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (n.d.). 2007 Review and Research Plan. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from http://www.heqco.ca/pdf/101_EN.pdf, p. 4.
  9. ↑ CNW Telbec (2007, January 4). James Downey appointed first president of Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/January2007/04/c3135.html
  10. ↑ Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (n.d.). 2006/07 Annual Report. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from http://www.heqco.ca/assets/HEQCO%20Annual%20Report%202006-07%20EN.pdf, p. 16.
  11. ↑ Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario http://heqco.ca/en-CA/Bios/Harvey_P_Weingarten%20Bio.aspx
  12. ↑ http://www.heqco.ca/en-CA/Research/Pages/default.aspx
  13. ↑ http://www.heqco.ca/en-CA/Events/Pages/default.aspx
  14. ↑ http://www.heqco.ca/en-CA/Events/Past%20Events/Pages/default.aspx

Further reading

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