Both reports address the important role universities play in the future prosperity of society, the economy and communities, as well as the high expectations the public has of the post-secondary education sector.

The CCL report indicates "nearly 90 per cent of Canadians agree that a highly skilled and educated workforce is the single most important thing Canada needs to ensure its economic future" and that "Canada’s economic future increasingly depends on the research and innovation that goes on in our colleges and universities." The report also says that more than 90 percent of Atlantic Canadians assess the performance of the region’s universities and colleges as being good to excellent.

Both reports conclude post-secondary institutions positively affect individuals and society, and have a real impact on their communities. The CCL report says, "Particularly for smaller centres, the college or university may be a critical part of the cultural as well as educational life of the community. Solid majorities agree that the institutions make the communities a better place to work and live, and that they do a good job being involved in the community."

A recent study of the economic impact of universities in Atlantic Canada, undertaken by Gardner Pinfold Consulting Economists Ltd., Halifax, on behalf of the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU), provides further evidence that Nova Scotia’s 11 universities are powerful contributors to our province’s economic prosperity, growing knowledge economy and quality of life.

NovaKnowledge’s report concludes, "The direct economic impact of Nova Scotia’s universities is significant."

Each year, Nova Scotia’s universities educate close to 40,000 full- and part-time students. Teaching and accommodating the educational and living needs of those students is big business for the province and its university communities.

Our universities employ more than 7,600 faculty and staff in high-quality, full-time jobs in communities across the province. In some communities, the university is the major employer. In places like Wolfville and Antigonish, home of Acadia and St. Francis Xavier universities respectively, the university represents more than a third of the local area economy.

Universities in Nova Scotia generate a total annual payroll of nearly $480 million and tax revenues of nearly $227 million. In total, they have an economic impact of more than $2 billion!

Michael Gardner, author of the AAU’s economic impact study, notes, "Nova Scotia’s universities rank among the province’s top five sector employers, including governments, tire manufacturing, forestry and fish products processing, and financial services institutions."

NovaKnowledge’s report says, "The renewable supply of highly skilled knowledge workers is perhaps the greatest economic contribution of Nova Scotia’s education industry." The report also notes, "Eighty five per cent of Atlantic graduates remain in the region, exerting powerful reverberations through the economy."

Nova Scotia’s universities annually attract nearly $260 million in research and development investment, most of which comes from outside the province. They are also directly responsible for 63 per cent of the R&D performed in the province.

As noted in the NovaKnowledge report, "In taking on the lion’s share of the R&D load, Nova Scotia’s universities have, in effect, stepped beyond their traditional mandate of teaching and basic research, and positioned themselves as significant economic drivers."

NovaKnowledge’s report also addresses the critical need to attract and retain new Canadians: "Indeed, immigration is essential to ensuring the continued economic, social, and cultural prosperity of the province."

Nova Scotia’s universities make a significant contribution to this important opportunity by attracting in access of 3,300 international students annually from across the world.

Anecdotally, it is known that as many as 30 per cent of international students seek permanent residence status in Canada following graduation. This makes a significant contribution toward improving the retention of highly qualified and motivated new immigrants to Nova Scotia.

Respondents to the CCL study ranked four areas where the performance and priorities for universities could improve over the coming years, including: access, classroom education, research and innovation, and access for mature students and continuing education.

These areas closely correspond with NovaKnowledge’s view that, "With a formidable post-secondary infrastructure, a highly educated population, and an enviable record in workplace training, Nova Scotia is well-poised to become an international leader in learning. The extent to which we are able to enhance, streamline and deliver these resources to potential and existing workers from every segment of the population determines our ability to remain competitive, innovative and prosperous in the future."

Nova Scotia’s universities commit to achieving these aspirations by working co-operatively and collaboratively with current and future learners, the community college, governments and their agencies, special interests and the private sector. By taking this approach, we can prepare for the future and "address the challenges and opportunities that lie in the path of Nova Scotia becoming a leader in learning."

Peter Halpin is executive director, Association of Atlantic Universities.