Association of Universities of the Canadian Francophonie

Association of Universities of the Canadian Francophonie (known by the acronym AUFC for its French name, "Association des universités de la francophonie canadienne") promotes university education in minority francophone communities in Canada, through cooperation between its member institutions. In the community it serves, each member institution plays a crucial role in cultural, social and economic development. The Association represents its member institutions on topics of mutual interest before the Government of Canada, national and international organizations.

Members

The association is made up of the following 13 institutions which promote university education within minority francophone communities in Canada: [­http://www.uottawa.ca/vr-etudes-academic/en/aufc.html ]

* Campus Saint-Jean, of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta
* Institut français, of the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan
* Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface in Saint-Boniface, Manitoba
* Université de Hearst in Hearst, Ontario
* Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario
* University of Sudbury in Sudbury, Ontario
* Glendon College in Toronto, Ontario
* Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario
* University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario
* Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario
* Dominican University College in Ottawa, Ontario
* Université de Moncton in Moncton, New Brunswick
* Université Sainte-Anne in Church Point, Nova Scotia

Most of these institutions were founded by members of the Catholic clergy to serve isolated Francophone communities. While some institutions maintain religious missions, others have assumed specialized vocations such as the Royal Military College of Canada. [­http://www.uottawa.ca/vr-etudes-academic/en/aufc.html ]

While some member institutions only offer study programs in French, others are bilingual (English/French). Some of the institutions are located in small Francophone communities while others are located in heavily populated Francophone areas.

The office of the association is located at:260, rue Dalhousie, bureau 400
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7E4 [­http://www.uottawa.ca/vr-etudes-academic/en/aufc.html ]

Canadian Francophonie Scholarships Program

The AUCC has been the executing agency of the Canadian Francophonie Scholarship Program (CFSP) since July 1, 2006. The Government of Canada funds the CFSP program in its entirety. CFSP is a scholarship program which builds institutional capacities by training nationals of 37 developing countries of La Francophonie. [ www.aucc.ca/programs/intprograms/francophonie_e.html Scholarships ] The program is administered by the Canadian Partnership Branch of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). [ [http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/CIDAWEB/acdicida.nsf/En/RAC-35850-HCQ Voluntary sector - Canadian Francophonie Scholarships Program ] ]

National exchange program

The AUFC promotes student exchanges for undergraduate, Masters and doctoral students among member institutions. [ [http://www.uottawa.ca/international/exchanges/abroad_12.html International Office - University of Ottawa ] ]

AUFC Action Plan

AUFC's action plan for 2007–2012 focuses on supporting its research community and the internationalization of member institutions. The AUFC wants to play a connecting role between Official Language Minority Community (OLMC) researchers and the federal funding agencies.

* creation of an advisory committee on research in June 2006,
* development of a strategy to enhance researchers' ability to obtain funding from research funding agencies (e.g concerning Francophone minority communities).
* adoption of a support plan for research on Francophone minority communities on May 31, 2007
* implementation of priority activities of this plan [ [http://www.ocol-clo.gc.ca/html/stu_etu_012008_p5_e.php OCOL - 4. Best practices and recommendations ] ]

The action plan also aims to attract more students and increase the diversity of the student body. [ [http://www.ocol-clo.gc.ca/html/speeches_discours_13092007_e.php OCOL - Winnipeg, September 13, 2007 ] ]

AUFC Research

A 2005 AUFC study evaluated the state of technological infrastructure within Canada’s francophone universities and recommended on its future directions. [ [http://www.risq.qc.ca/nouvelles/nouvelle_item.php?LANG=EN&ART=1463 Upgrades to francophone networks | RISQ ] ]

AUFC Partners

AUFC partners include the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS),

La Cité collégiale, French Language Health Services Network of Eastern Ontario, Consortium des universités de la francophonie ontarienne (CUFO), and Agence universitaire de la francophonie (AUF). [ [http://web5.uottawa.ca/vision2010/consultation/state-of-affairs.html State of Affairs | Task Force on Programs and Services in French | Vision 2010 ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.aufc.ca Association of Universities of the Canadian Francophonie] official website