The Ontario government’s support for accessible higher education allows universities to focus on employability skills and experiential learning, which meshes with the province’s emphasis on jobs and the economy, health care, research and innovation, and energy costs and climate change.

That was one of the messages a delegation from Carleton University led by President Alastair Summerlee shared with provincial government officials at the second Carleton University Day at Queen’s Park on October 25.

The series of meetings and a reception at the end of the day — modelled after a successful inaugural event in 2014 — showcased how Carleton students, faculty, alumni and donors are contributing to Ontario’s prosperity agenda.

The group from Carleton wants to highlighted the university’s capacity for talent development, economic development and job creation, and its leadership on energy, climate change and Indigenous issues. It also wants to express appreciation for the government’s support for research and innovation, and suggested that it’s time to consider investing in regional clusters to promote economic development.

Moreover, it plans to informed government officials about Carleton’s work and strengths in: poverty alleviation (Carleton is one of two Ontario universities signed up for the PUSH initiative, Presidents United to Solve Hunger, a worldwide network focused on poverty alleviation, awareness and remediation at home, in Indigenous communities and abroad); water quality research; accessibility; mental health; social entrepreneurship; and artificial intelligence, sensor technologies and cybersecurity, including unique industry partnerships.

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