List of higher education associations and organizations in Canada

This is a list of higher education associations and organizations in Canada. These are groups relevant to the structure of higher education in Canada. It includes those that support teachers, staff, students, institutions, research, and related groups involved in the delivery of higher education in the Canadian provinces and territories.

Associations and organizations

Association of Community Colleges of Canada (ACCC)

The Association of Canadian Community Colleges is a national organization that was created in 1972 composed of voluntary members who provide representation in Canada as well as abroad to government, business and industry. It also facilitates networking and participation in programs for board members, staff and students of institutions of higher learning.^[1]

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)

Since 1911, The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada has represented Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges. Currently there are 92 members. Its mandate is to facilitate the development of public policy on higher education and to encourage cooperation among universities and governments, industry, communities, and institutions in other countries. Each member institution is represented by its executive head. The association's business is conducted by a 13-member board of directors, made up of 12 university presidents and the president of AUCC.^[2]

Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA)

Following a dispute with the Canadian Federation of Students over policy and organization, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations was formed in 1995. Initially composed of student unions from 5 founding institutions, this has now grown to 23. The Alliance networks student governments and represents and defends students' interests at both the federal and inter-provincial levels.^[3]

Canadian Association of College & University Student Services (CACUSS)

The Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) is a professional association representing and serving those individuals who work in Canadian post-secondary institutions in student affairs and services. CACUSS is a comprehensive organization consisting of six divisions: Canadian Academic Integrity and Student Judicial Affairs (CAISJA); the Canadian Association of Disability Service Providers in Post Secondary Education (CADSPPE); the Canadian Organization of University and College Health (COUCH); the Canadian University and College Counselling Association (CUCCA); the National Aboriginal Student Services Association (NASSA); and the Student Affairs and Services Association (SASA). Since 1973, CACUSS has provided professional development services and programs for members in all the Canadian provinces.^[4]

Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)

Over 65,000 teachers, librarians, researchers and other academic professionals and general staff at 120 colleges and universities throughout Canada are represented by the Canadian Association of University Teachers, a federation of independent associations and trade unions. Operating since 1951, CAUT offers courses, workshops and conferences to advance the social and economic interests of its members and works to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education.^[5]

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives was founded in 1980 as a progressive, non-partisan voice in the public policy debate regarding social and economic justice. The CCPA produces research studies, policy briefs, books, editorials and commentary, and other publications which offer analysis and policy ideas to the media, general public, social justice and labour organizations, academia and government in areas of social and economic policy and international trade. It is especially known for publishing an alternative federal budget on an annual basis.^[6]

Canadian Council on Learning (CCL)

The Canadian Council on Learning works to provide up-to-date information to Canadian learners, educators, employers and policy-makers regarding effective approaches to lifelong learning in classrooms, homes, workplace and community. The Council performs research on critical learning themes such as Aboriginal or Adult Learning and establishes networks with Provincial and Territorial governments in order to exchange knowledge and report on the state of learning.^[7]

Canadian Bureau for International Education

The Canadian Bureau for International Education has worked since 1966 to promote Canada's international relations through international education. CBIE administers a range of awards to Canadian students studying abroad and to foreign students studying in Canada.^[8]

Canadian Federation of Students (CFS)

The largest student organization in Canada, The Canadian Federation of Students first appeared in 1981 along with its services branch, the CFS-Services, with its mandate to work for high quality, accessible post-secondary education at the federal level and provincial levels. CFS provides students with an effective and united voice, provincially and nationally believing that for students to adequately represent their collective interests, they needed to unite under one organization.^[9]

Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN)

Since 1994, Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN) has analyzed important public policy issues regarding health care, family, learning, job equity, and community sustainability. Federal, provincial and local governments utilize CPRN research as a source of new ideas on how to solve policy problems, or as a basis for further discussions on issues. Dialogue is conducted with Canadians in all parts of the country at every socio-economic level to try to make the policy review process as inclusive and equitable as possible.^[10]

Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE)

The Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education was founded in 1970 to create an avenue for post-secondary researchers to communicate more effectively through comprehensive programs and partnerships to focus on the creation, publication, dissemination and application of information and research on post-secondary education in Canada.^[11]

Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC)

The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada was founded in 1967 to provide leadership in education at the pan-Canadian and international levels and contributes to the fulfillment of the constitutional responsibility for education conferred on provinces and territories. Post-secondary education is an important element of CMEC's mandate to coordinate activities and projects that are of collective priority and interest to the provinces and territories.^[12]

Society of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE)

The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, formed in 1981, is an association of academics that look at teaching and learning in higher education and work towards its betterment. Its members are faculty as well as teaching and resource professionals from post-secondary institutions from across Canada as well as abroad. From its initial 48 founding members, STLHE has expanded to include over 58 Institutional Members.^[13]

References

1. ^ Association of Community Colleges of Canada (n.d.). About ACCC. Retrieved on July 21, 2008
2. ^ Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (n.d.). About AUCC. Retrieved on May 15, 2008
3. ^ Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (n.d.). What is CASA?. Retrieved on July 21, 2008
4. ^ Canadian Association of College & University Student Services (n.d.). About CACUSS. Retrieved on April 27, 2009
5. ^ Canadian Association of Uiversity Teachers (n.d.). About CAUT. Retrieved on July 21, 2008
6. ^ Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (n.d.). About the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Retrieved on July 21, 2008
7. ^ Canadian Council on Learning (n.d.). About the Canadian Council on Learning. Retrieved on July 21, 2008
8. ^ IAU from Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials, Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), 2006 http://www.unesco.org/iau/onlinedatabases/systems_data/ca00.rtf
9. ^ Canadian Federation of Students (n.d.). Overview of the Federation. Retrieved on July 21, 2008
10. ^ Canadian Policy Research Networks (n.d.). About CPRN. Retrieved on July 21, 2008
11. ^ Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved on July 21, 2008
12. ^ Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved on May 7, 2008
13. ^ Society of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (n.d.). Welcome to STLHE. Retrieved on July 21, 2008