Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk today met with the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC).

"One thing is clear as I meet with stakeholders: we all share the common goal of high-quality, affordable and accessible post-secondary education," said Virk, who spoke at the association's fall council meeting. "Research universities play an important role in ensuring we have the educated and skilled individuals needed for B.C. to be successful in a global economy and carry out research that contributes to our economy."

In addition to a growing demand for skilled workers and skills training, the province also will need a range of professionals, from business people to engineers, project managers, health-care professionals and innovators, to name just a few.

"We are very pleased that Minister Virk could join our fall council session, where we explored pressing issues in higher education," said Dr. Richard Kool, president of CUFA BC. "Academic staff at the province's research-intensive institutions are equally committed to furthering both the general and professional education of British Columbians, other Canadians and international students through high-quality teaching, research and scholarship."

CUFA BC represents approximately 4,600 professors, lecturers, librarians and other academic staff at five public research and doctoral-granting universities: Royal Roads University; Simon Fraser University; University of British Columbia; University of Northern British Columbia and University of Victoria.

Media contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400