Students call for stimulation of the knowledge economy

For Immediate Release June 4, 2009

(Halifax) – The Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations (ANSSA) and the Saint Mary’s University Student Association (SMUSA) are calling on all parties to recognize the importance of higher education in this election through investments in universities and student assistance that will stimulate the knowledge economy.

“We believe there is no greater investment in the economy than through investments in higher education,” said Matt Anderson, SMUSA President. According to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, 70 percent of new jobs now require some form of a post secondary credential, yet in Nova Scotia we have a participation rate in post-secondary education of only 35%. “The numbers don’t match up. If we want to be successful and competitive as a province, we need to provide our youth with the skills and education they need to compete in the economy of tomorrow, and that economy is built on knowledge.”

“The success of the knowledge economy of tomorrow is clearly dependant on the investments we put into our universities, colleges and our students today,” added Mark Coffin, ANSSA Executive Director. “To get there, we need to ensure our higher education system is high quality, affordable, and accessible to every Nova Scotian who is academically capable.”

Throughout the election campaign ANSSA has been encouraging parties to support the growth of the knowledge economy by making strategic investments in higher education.

For more information on ANSSA’s recommendations to the political parties, please visit www.StudentsForNovaScotia.ca

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