The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) is an organisation that groups Canada's universities.

Formed in 1911, it represents 92 public and private not-for-profit Canadian Universities and University Colleges in Canada. It provides member services in public policy and advocacy, communications, research and information-sharing, and scholarships and international programs. [ [http://www.aucc.ca/about_us/index_e.html Information and overview about the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada ] ]

Membership in AUCC along with a provincial charter to grant degrees is sometimes used as "de facto" accreditation in Canada.Fact|date=November 2007

The association produces a number of publications, such as University Affairs magazine, Trends in Higher Education, Momentum (university research), UniWorld magazine, the Directory of Canadian Universities, and the University Telephone Directory.

Advocacy

The AUCC works in an advocacy role with governments to promote higher education and awareness of the contributions Canada's universities make to the country. [AUCC. [http://www.aucc.ca/_pdf/english/publications/corp_brochure_e.pdf Corporate brochure] ]

Its priorities are increasing funding for universities' operating and capital costs, research, and international programs, along with improved student assistance.

It is also involved in the government's copyright reform process. [ [http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-prda.nsf/en/rp00246e.html Copyright Reform Process - Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) ] ]

International programs

The association is also active in the international arena [ [http://www.aucc.ca/programs/intprograms/index_e.html AUCC - Programs and Services ] ] , managing several partnerships and programs around the world, particularly with developing countries. The focus of much of AUCC’s work is using university partnerships to strengthen governance and to promote sustainable development, goals which reflect Canada's Official Development priorities, CIDA's poverty-reduction mandate, as well as the development priorities of developing countries.

Financed by the Canadian International Development Agency and administered by AUCC, the University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development (UPCD) program has funded 118 projects in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

In furthering curriculum development, strengthening academic departments and training and further education for professors, the UPCD projects focus on collaboration between partner organizations which forge long-lasting institutional linkages.

The Students for Development program is geared toward senior-level university students and faculty members from Canadian universities, who work together with partners in the developing world to promote good governance.

AUCC also manages several other international programs open to Canadian universities and seek involvement in technical assistance projects involving a number of institutions, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank.

First Nations University of Canada

The First Nations University of Canada was placed on membership probation by the AUCC board of directors in April 2007, after the institution was found to be in non-compliance with key elements of the association’s membership criteria. [ [http://www.aucc.ca/publications/media/2007/first_nations_18_04_e.html AUCC Board of Directors statement on First Nations University of Canada: April 18, 2007 ] ]

The decision was based on the recommendations of a comprehensive report on FNUniv by a review committee of academic leaders, Dr. Charles Jago, former president of the University of Northern British Columbia, who chaired the committee; Dr. Emőke Szathmáry, president of the University of Manitoba; and Dr. Andrii Krawchuk, president of the University of Sudbury. [AUCC. [http://www.aucc.ca/_pdf/english/media/first_nations_full_report_april_07_e.pdf First Nations report] ] FNUC's membership in AUCC was restored in April 2008 after the university made the changes recommended in the 2007 report. http://www.aucc.ca/publications/statements/2008/FNUC_statement_04_02>e.html] ]

See also

References

External links

* [http://www.aucc.ca/ Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada Website]
* [http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/our_universities/index_e.html List of AUCC members]