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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-05 Minutes Task Force for Attracting Higher Education Facilities Minutes of Meeting Thursday,November 5, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Meeting Room I Present Were: Mayor Jim Abernethy Bill Humber Pierre Tremblay Dorcas Gordon Deborah Patrick Valentine Lovekin Special Guests: Ron Bordessa, UOIT Don Lovisa, Durham College Staff: David Crome, Director, Planning Services Linda Coutu, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Regrets: Paul Halliday 1. SPECIAL GUESTS Mayor Abernethy welcomed special guests, Dr. Ron Bordessa, President of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Ron Lovisa, President of Durham College to the meeting. Members of the committee introduced themselves and Mayor Abernethy provided a brief overview of the mandate of the committee to the guests. David Crome explained why Dr. Bordessa and Mr. Lovisa were invited to attend the meeting and asked each of the guests to provide their views on any possible future expansion of their respective facilities and/or programs. A general discussion ensued pertaining to the types of programs that currently exist at UOIT and Durham College and what will be required to meet future needs in this area. Dr. Bordessa explained that a large part of post secondary education is funded through the provincial government, however, there is no long-term agreement in place with UOIT and therefore funding is not guaranteed at this time. Some of the study areas that were discussed to meet future demands at the College level include skilled trades and the food industry. Mr. Lovisa advised that the demand for skilled trades would exceed the availability once the New Nuclear project is ready to begin. At the University level it was suggested that the focus should be on medical laboratory science and research as the health science field will be faced with an aging population. To that end, Dr. Bordessa advised the committee members that UOIT has partnered with Lakeridge Health Corporation and Holburn BioMedical Corporation to produce a business concept for a Medical Laboratory Research and Education Centre at the Science Park lands on Bennett Road. The committee members are aware that other municipalities are competing for the same opportunities to attain higher education facilities and/or programs. Dr. Bordessa suggested that it would be beneficial for this committee to work with the UOIT and Durham College in order to keep any expansions of facilities and/or programs within this area. Ron Bordessa and Don Lovisa left the meeting at 9:35 a.m. The general discussion continued and a suggestion was made to contact someone at the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities as funding will be a key component of attracting higher education facilities to Clarington. 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by Dorcas Gordon, seconded by Bill Humber that the minutes of the meeting held on September 25th be approved. "CARRIED" It was agreed that the remaining items 3 (Selection of Committee Chair) and 4 (Assignments) from this agenda be carried over to the next agenda due to lack of time to continue. 5. OTHER BUSINESS There was a brief discussion about future meeting dates and it was agreed that the next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10th at 8:00 a.m. in Committee Room IA. David Crome will prepare a summary of the one day Camp 30 Summit and it will be added to the next agenda. 6. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Dorcas Gordon, seconded by Pierre Tremblay that the meeting adjourn at 9:55 a.m. "CARRIED"