More training opportunities for Ontario graduate students

Ontario is helping to connect graduate students with internship opportunities to grow the province’s knowledge-based economy and create new jobs.

The government is extending support to the Mitacs Accelerate program, which connects graduate students and post-doctoral fellows with applied research opportunities at companies across Ontario. This will help provide about 1,400 four-month internships to Ontario graduate students over two years.

Helping Ontario students prepare for successful careers, including reducing the cost of tuition, is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to build the best-educated workforce in the world.

QUOTES

“In today’s knowledge-based economy, it is vital that Ontario continues to support advanced research and develop a highly educated and skilled workforce. For the past five years, the Mitacs program has not only provided graduate students with relevant research opportunities, but also allowed companies to access high-quality research expertise.” – John Milloy Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

“As Ontario continues to develop its economy, it needs to ensure that its talented, future innovators are given every opportunity to contribute. By building bridges between academia and industry, companies will benefit from accessing this top talent, further supporting the development of new products and services, while graduate students gain a real-world perspective of their research. We thank the Government of Ontario for its partnership.” – Dr. Arvind Gupta CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs Inc.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is providing $8.4 million over two years to the Mitacs Accelerate program.

• Since 2008, government investments of more than $20 million have created 1,650 internships for graduate students in Ontario.

• Ontario increased graduate enrolment by 57 per cent between 2002-03 and 2011-12.

• Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that promotes research and innovation by building links between industry and universities.

• News release on Ministry website