The Government of Canada Announces its Support to a Virtual Multimedia Network Project of the Regroupement des Universités de la Francophonie hors Québec
OTTAWA, January 13, 1999 -- Mauril Bélanger, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier and Parliamentary Secretary for Canadian Heritage, announced today, on behalf of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Sheila Copps, funding of $3.5 million for the Regroupement des universités de la francophonie hors Québec (RUFHQ) to create the Réseau national d'enseignement universitaire en français. Mr. Bélanger made this announcement during the RUFHQ annual general meeting in Ottawa."Access to French-language university education is vital for the future of Francophone students in all regions of the country," said Mr. Bélanger. "The creation of the Réseau d'enseignement universitaire en français will enable thousands of young Francophones from across Canada to access the best of what is being done in their fields of study, in French, without them having to leave their region. It will give them the opportunity to take courses on-line, from emeritus professors thousands of kilometres away. Thanks to technology, this Network will also unite regions, communities and citizens from coast to coast."
"The members of the RUFHQ are delighted with this major announcement. Representatives of this Network have been working for several years to create a virtual nation-wide French-language university", said Marcel Hamelin, Rector of the University of Ottawa, on behalf of the RUFHQ.
The funds will be used to provide multimedia equipment for 65 classrooms, in nearly 60 communities in all provinces and territories, to help students and teachers communicate via the Internet, audio conference and video conference. These funds will also be used to provide logistical support for the planning of courses and programs offered on the Network. By March 2001, the 13 member universities of the RUFHQ will be part of the Network. The Network will also be accessible to minority French-language colleges and organizations.
The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, through the Canadian Rural Partnership, and the Department of Industry, through the Francommunautés virtuelles program, also contributed to funding for this project.
This project was funded under the Official Languages Support Programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The funding was provided for in the February 1999 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Catherine Gagnaire
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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