Premier Christy Clark named UBC president Professor Santa Ono as her Chief Advisor of the Innovation Network designed to foster greater collaboration between public post-secondary institutions and innovation-driven industries.

Leaders from public post-secondary institutions and Aboriginal institutes of higher learning met to discuss how to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report Calls to Action within the public post-secondary education system in British Columbia.

Post-secondary institutions help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class.

Capilano University (Cap U) will provide Aboriginal students with tangible skills for teaching language in communities through a language and culture program. Vancouver Community College (VCC) will provide the gateway to careers program to help Aboriginal students develop, set and reach educational and career goals.

Students who face barriers to education and training – such as physical or learning disabilities – are being supported with a range of programs being developed by individual public post-secondary institutions throughout the province.

The B.C. government has awarded the University of British Columbia (UBC) more than $27 million through the BC Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) for 40 research infrastructure projects in areas of healthcare, astrophysics, clean technology and agriculture.

Premier Christy Clark departs today on the India Trade Mission, and will be joined by Minister of Advanced Education Amrik Virk.