Province picks Markham for new York U.-Seneca campus

YorkRegion.com
May 20, 2015
Laura Finney

Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities made the official announcement during a press conference Wednesday at the future site of the new campus at Markham Centre.

“After careful consideration York University’s proposal for a new campus in Markham, in collaboration with Seneca College, York Region, City of Markham has been selected,” he said to loud applause. “The government of Ontario will support the creation of a new university campus right on this very site.”

Moridi was joined by provincial, regional and municipal representatives as well as representatives from the York University and Seneca College.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who had wanted to see a university in Markham for many years, responded with an enthusiastic “yes!” and raised his arm in a celebratory fist pump as he approached the podium.

“This is a proud day for Markham, a proud day for York Region, for the province of Ontario and indeed for the young people, the future of this great community,” he said as he thanked everyone who helped bring the plan to fruition including Premier Kathleen Wynne.

This will be the first university for the region, said Wayne Emmerson, chairperson and CEO of the region.

“Until this morning, York Region was North America’s largest municipality without a university, but now that is going to change,” he said, adding a post-secondary school aligns with many of the region’s plans.

“This university campus is a direct investment in our people, in education and economic industry,” he said.

In March 2014, the province released a call for proposals to post-secondary institutions for new projects that would serve areas of the province where future demand for undergraduate education will be strong and where gaps in access are expected.

The joint proposal from York U. in partnership with Seneca for a Markham campus was selected following a transparent and competitive process by an evaluation panel, the province said Wednesday.

The panel unanimously ranked the York University - Markham Centre proposal first among the proposals they assessed.

“If I say I’m excited it will be the understatement of the year,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor of York U. who added the university has always seen itself as the university of the region.

“A campus in York Region has always been part of the aspirations of York University.

“We are particularly pleased with this recognition of York’s considerable strengths as a driver of Ontario’s knowledge economy and its position as a global innovation leader,” he said. “This new campus in Markham Centre solidifies York’s reputation as one of Canada’s leading multi-campus universities, poised to meet the increasing demand for high-quality education and workplace-based learning opportunities, and well-positioned to spur economic growth in one of the fastest growing major urban areas in the province.”

A wide range of degree programs including diverse professional programs will be offered at the campus, as well as joint programs with Seneca to encourage learning, research and innovation at all levels.

Shoukri called it a win-win situation.

“Not only does this expansion align with specific direction we are taking as a university to grow our research enterprise,” he said. “But this new campus will help us advance Markham as an innovative knowledge hub building on its existing partnerships in areas of science, health, engineering, technology and in the area of social services.”

The university will now work on the detailed planning and implementation phases. The new campus will accommodate 4,000 students in the initial phase, with more over time.

The campus will be located in the City of Markham’s Markham Centre, providing easy access to transit, major employers, research centres and the Markham Pan Am Centre.