$45 million to improve university infrastructure in second round of
investment

MONTREAL , Oct. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - The Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ) is delighted with the federal and Quebec governments' announcement to invest $45 million in university infrastructure as part of the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program and Quebec Infrastructure Plan. Of this sum, $18.5 million come from the federal government and $26.6 million from the Government of Quebec .

A first round of investment of $700 million announced last June allowed Quebec universities to undertake maintenance and renovation projects as well as the construction of university buildings.

"Universities are delighted by this announcement as they clearly require the support of the two levels of government to fulfil their mandate regarding higher education and to contribute meaningfully to knowledge and science as well as to the economic, social and cultural development of Quebec ," said Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University.

"This second round of investment will allow the institutions to maintain the high quality of their teaching and research, and to renew infrastructure so as to compete successfully with the best universities in the world," CREPUQ President and CEO Daniel Zizian added.

CREPUQ includes all Quebec universities. The organization acts as their voice in relations with government and sectors related to higher education. It also fosters coordination and collaboration between universities, is a research centre for university administrations, acts as a centre for coordination and joint service delivery, and is a resource centre and think tank for its members.

For further information: Chantal Pouliot, Director of Communications, Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities, [phone], ext. 244