$56.4M investment provides state-of-the-art facilities

TORONTO, June 21, 2011 --- The Government of Ontario is investing $56.4 million in a new health sciences building at Ryerson University.  The Hon. John Milloy, Minister of Training Colleges and University joined the Hon. Glen Murray, MPP for Toronto Centre and Minister of Research and Innovation to make the announcement today at a news conference on the Ryerson campus.

"Our government's investment in Ryerson adds to the province's future prosperity," said Minister Murray.  "Every community, every region must have the opportunity to contribute to the growth and well-being of Ontario."

Today's announcement by the McGuinty government will enable Ryerson to build a new health sciences building with state-of-the-art labs and classrooms to house a number of health-related programs, including the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing.

"This transformative investment is recognition of Ryerson's strength in health sciences and the university's responsiveness to increasing the number of health professionals in Ontario to meet the growing demand for care," said Ryerson University President Sheldon Levy.

"It will also enable Ryerson to increase our enrolment by 1,800 students," Levy said.  "We are especially grateful for the support of our MPP, The Hon. Glen Murray, Minister of Research and Innovation, and The Hon. John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities."

Ryerson is continuing to experience high levels of demand at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The university has the highest ratio in Ontario of first choice applications from secondary-school students to number of places available. At the graduate level, Ryerson has more than 2,200 students in 52 programs.
"By investing in new classrooms and labs at the new applied health sciences building at Ryerson University, Ontario is helping more students turn their passion into careers," said the Hon. John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. "The new space will provide space for more students to learn and become highly skilled healthcare professionals."

Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to 28,000 students, including 2,000 master's and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and more than 130,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca

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For further information contact:
 
Janet Mowat                                                                             Suelan Toye
Ryerson University                                                                   Ryerson University
Tel: 416-979-5000 ext. 7002                                                     416-979-5000 ext. 7161
jmowat@ryerson.ca                                                                  stoye@ryerson.ca