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Edmonton(ATB): Alberta Government has announced to pump in $125 million over four years to help MacEwan University to establish new School of Business.
Yash Sharma, Publisher/Editor in Chief, Asian Tribune sat with Hon Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education of Alberta last week to understand as to how Downtown Edmonton, economic growth and students as a whole will be benefitted with this initiative.
Details are as under:
Q: I notice that Alberta’s government is investing $125 million over four years in the development of MacEwan University’s new school of business. MacEwan already brings 20,000 people downtown every day, how will this support brining even more visitors to Downtown Edmonton?
A: It will be great investment. MacEwan brings quarter of the visitors to downtown. The project has been accelerated and is shovel ready. Students will have more spaces to pursue their career.
Q: How will this major investment in MacEwan support economic development?
A: Investment will see more students coming to the downtown which in turn will see spending at the local businesses and new businesses getting established. It will have multiplier effect as more money spent means more economic development.
Q: Will MacEwan work with international institutions to achieve their target of 30,000 students by 2030?
A: I did not get a chance to sit with MacEwan Board of Directors. However, it will be their organic growth and they only need more spaces to accommodate their educational needs.
Q: How will MacEwan’s school of business help students enter the job market and being rewarding careers?
A: Most of the post-secondary Institutes have work integrated learning environment which enable students to network with employers and get them placed. MacEwan do have an effective placement strategy in place. I agree, sometimes it is difficult to fetch job immediately after course completion. However, work integrated learning is a great tool to get placed.
Q: How will this investment in MacEwan and downtown Edmonton support the whole of Alberta?
A: Well, when Edmonton does well, the whole province does well. We need to do lot of work. We as Municipal, Provincial and Federal Governments have to jointly work to revitalize Downtown Edmonton and work is already under way. More investment translates into higher employment rate, more students and more buzz and life in Downtown Edmonton.
Q: What is your message to Edmonton and Alberta?
A: I have travelled across the province. I have not visited all the post-secondary institutes. Even if you do not want to study in Edmonton or Calgary, we have lots of Institutes scattered pan Alberta. Also, trades are picking steam. We always persuade our kids to go for University education whereas there is dearth of trades like Electricians, Plumbers and Pipe fitters which do not yield high debt burden. Even if you want to pursue higher studies later, that pathway is available to you. Through you, I want to convey our folks that do suggest trades option to your wards.
