COUNCIL OF NOVA SCOTIA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS
Government of Nova Scotia invests $1.9M in strategic health partnership between Acadia University & Cape Breton University

Today's (May 11) Government of Nova Scotia investment of $1.9M in a strategic health partnership between Acadia University (Acadia) and Cape Breton University (CBU) further validates the vital role the province's universities play in the education and training of future healthcare professionals.

The launch of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Acadia, which will begin as a satellite location of CBU's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in 2025, will graduate 42 nurses in 2026 and 63 nurses every year after, making an important contribution to addressing healthcare challenges.

Peter Halpin, Executive Director, Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP) said the Government's recent strategic investments in university healthcare initiatives strongly support the critical education and training role of the province's universities.

Halpin said that the province's universities annually graduate thousands of students who have been educated and trained to enter the health professions as doctors, dentists, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists, audiologists, gerontologists, occupational health and safety therapists, social workers, educators, researchers, counselors, pharmacists, fitness and recreation specialists, and dieticians.

"University graduates are engaged in all aspects of healthcare across Nova Scotia," said Halpin. He added that the announcement of the Acadia-CBU partnership to train more nurses is particularly well-timed during National Nursing Week.

Today's announcement further bolsters recent historic Government investments:

• $60 million to develop the new medical campus at Cape Breton University (CBU). The campus will train 30 new doctors every year in collaboration with Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine
• $25 million investment in Saint Mary's University to expand its programs, research and capacity in healthcare analytics, management and leadership focused on creating solutions to the province's healthcare system and,
• $37.4 million investment for a new Institute for Innovation in Health at St. Francis Xavier University

Halpin noted that Government investments in university healthcare education, training and research are further validated by a recent study conducted among Nova Scotians by Narrative Research on behalf of CONSUP. That research found that:

• 90% agree it is important to increase government investment in university healthcare education programs to increase the number of graduates in health-related programs.
• 80% agree that universities provide important healthcare innovation and research.
• 68% agree that graduates of Nova Scotia universities play a critical role in helping deliver all aspects of health care in the province.

He concluded by noting that "Nova Scotia's universities appreciate the Government's investment in future healthcare professionals, educational programming, research, and innovation across our sector. We will continue to do our best in support of the Government's Action for Health plan and appreciate the government's demonstrated faith in our ability and capacity to do so."