McGill and John Abbott College make joint presentation to the Parliamentary Commission
McGill University and John Abbott College present to the Quebec Parliamentary Commission on Quality, Accessibility and Funding of Universities
McGill University and John Abbott College made a joint presentation to the Parliamentary Commission on Quality, Accessibility and Funding of Universities today, emphasizing the tremendous potential for their shared 650-hectare campus, in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, to become a leading hub in the Montreal region for biosciences and related technologies. Their report to the commission, "John Abbott College-McGill University: A Unique Partnership," shows that the two institutions, working in collaboration and individually, are poised to become the development engine for the key fields of biotechnology, bioprocessing and bioinformatics.
"There is a pressing need for highly trained professional and technical manpower in the emerging biotechnology and biosciences sector as well as access to the highest level of fundamental and applied research to spur further advances in these areas," said Deborah Buszard, Dean of the McGill Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. "The synergy created by the pooling of physical and material resources on a shared campus provides exceptional opportunities for teaching, research and technology transfer. Between us, we offer a full range of world-class programs from the College Attestation to the postdoctoral level and the research capabilities of our scientists and facilities are second to none. On top of all this," she added, "together we constitute one of the largest private landholdings in the region, in a corridor containing one of the greatest high-tech concentrations in Canada."
"One of the most important engines of development and economic growth of regions are the universities and colleges," said Director General of John Abbott College, Keith J. Henderson. "The Greater Montreal area is rapidly discovering this reality. Through this alliance and our geographical setting, McGill and John Abbott are well positioned to assume a leadership role in the creation of a world-class cluster of talents and value creation initiatives on the Macdonald campus."
Both institutions enjoy an excellent reputation. John Abbott College currently serves the needs of 5,300 students (900 in its Science Program). It has more international students than any other CEGEP in the province, attracting students from Europe and Asia. McGill University's Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, with an enrolment of 1,100, is Canada's most research intensive and international faculty of its type. Researchers have access to world-class research facilities on both of McGill's campuses and in the University's unique network of field stations. They are engaged in strategic research activities that advance knowledge and solve problems related to agriculture, food and the environment, from molecular biology to plant and animal research, with a focus on medical and industrial applications.
