(2003-100) News ReleaseDecember 4, 2003Ottawa – The Honourable Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, today announced a $23.2-million contribution over six years to support eight international development projects by Canadian universities and their partner institutions in developing countries. These projects, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development Program (UPCD), draw upon Canadian university expertise to help build the capacity of developing-country education and training institutions in addressing the sustainable development priorities of their countries."Canada's long tradition of contributing to educational development has taught us that education is critical to closing the door on ignorance, poverty and suffering," Minister Whelan said. "The UPCD projects strengthen that tradition and enable Canadian universities to partner with developing-country organizations to improve curriculum, train faculty, and build knowledge, innovation and research capacity." The eight projects were submitted by the University of British Columbia (Vancouver), Simon Fraser University (Burnaby), University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon), University of Manitoba (Winnipeg), York University (Toronto), Institut national de la recherche scientifique (Montreal), Université de Moncton and Dalhousie University (Halifax). Each project was selected based on the needs of the targeted developing country or countries, and its coherence with Canadian international development priorities. Four will be implemented in Asia, three in the Americas, and one in Africa, with each of the Canadian institutions working in close collaboration with their local partners. "The projects address such sectors as good governance, environmental protection, sustainable agricultural development, human rights, and training and education," said Minister Whelan. "All are very much linked to CIDA's aid priorities."The program holds regular competitions open to universities across Canada, and the selection process is overseen by an independent committee of peers. The UPCD selection process is coordinated by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), a national organization representing Canadian universities. Details regarding each of the projects will be announced regionally.Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. - 30 -Information: Marta AndersonDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister for International CooperationTelephone: (819) 953-6238Media Relations OfficeCanadian International Development Agency (CIDA)Telephone: (819) 953-6534E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.caMargaux BelandDirector, Partnership ProgramsAssociation of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)Telephone: (613) 563-1236, ext. 296 E-mail: mbeland@aucc.caUniversity Partnerships in Cooperation and DevelopmentThe University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development (UPCD) program, which began in 1994, supports the participation of Canadian universities in institutional cooperation projects with developing country partners. UPCD is funded through the Universities and Colleges Program in the Canadian Partnership Branch at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).The purpose of the UPCD program is to increase the capacity of developing country organizations, in collaboration with Canadian universities, to address the development needs of the communities they serve. UPCD projects respond to human resource priorities in developing countries and must be designed and implemented jointly by Canadian and developing country partners. The program has two tiers of project funding: within the first, CIDA contributes up to $3 million per project and also manages the projects. Within the second tier, CIDA contributes up to $1 million, however, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada undertakes management of the projects and also manages the logistics of the selection process for both levels. CIDA's contribution to all UPCD projects is on a cost-shared basis (70 CIDA: 30 Partner).Project proposals submitted to UPCD are selected by means of a competition and based on the recommendations of a peer committee with the addition of a CIDA representative. In 2003, the committee recommended a funding contribution of $23.2 million over six years for the eight Tier 1 projects selected.- 30 -
