The Université de Sherbrooke is deploying a mobile clinic promoting student success
Thanks to a $500,000 contribution from TD Bank Group
SHERBROOKE, QC, Dec. 6, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - As the result of a $500,000 donation from TD Bank Group, in 2018, the Université de Sherbrooke will deploy a mobile school adjustment clinic providing high-quality remedial-education support to students struggling in reading, writing and mathematics in 48 primary schools in Estrie. This initiative, which is unique in Quebec, will double the number of students currently served by the Clinique Pierre-H.-Ruel. It will also considerably broaden this training platform, which is part of the undergraduate program in school and social adjustment that the Faculty of Education has offered since 1997.
Professor Pierre Cossette, President of the Université de Sherbrooke, is quite pleased that a major international donor such as TD Bank Group is so mindful about a project directly affecting students. He underscored that "the Université de Sherbrooke has always been committed to having university knowledge serve the general public. And since we want to go even further in this regard, it is very stimulating for us to have such an important donor share in our conviction that our actions must directly benefit the population."
Normand Legault, Chair of the Promising Futures, Shared Passions major campaign, stated that "today's announcement is an investment in young people and the future of our society. We warmly thank TD Bank Group for this commitment, which honors it and ensures promising benefits for the students in our region."
''Given our presence and commitment to the Eastern Townships, it was a natural fit for TD to support a project that will have a positive impact on the community. Our children's futures rely on a high-quality education and the opportunity to learn and acquire new skills. That is why we invest significantly in ensuring that young people succeed,'' said Didier van der Heyden, Vice President, TD Commercial Banking.
Importance of Students Experiencing Feelings of Self-Efficacy in Reading, Writing and Mathematics
In primary school, student success in key areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics play a basic role in student self-perception and feelings of self-efficacy with respect to learning. These determining criteria for academic success point to the importance of tackling difficulties that could undermine the student's confidence at the very outset of his or her education.
"Beyond the French and mathematics skills that the students will acquire in the company of our university students, the impact of this investment will be visible in the degree of confidence and self-esteem of hundreds of students benefiting from the mobile clinic," pointed out Professor Serge Striganuk, Dean of the Faculty of Education. He further stated that "in addition to optimizing the expertise of our future graduates in school and social adjustment, for which the Clinique Pierre-H.-Ruel is an outstanding practical-training setting, this major donation will translate into tangible improvement in the academic performance of these students, who have a variety of needs."
Professor Marie-France Morin, co-head of the clinic and holder of the Research Chair on Child Acquisition of Literacy, also emphasized that TD Bank Group's donation will promote knowledge transfer benefiting students: "The creation of the mobile clinic will, moreover, help narrow the gap between research and its application among young people, which succinctly sums up our mission."
Founded in 1997 by faculty members of the Université de Sherbrooke's Faculty of Education and named in honor of the Faculty's first dean, the Clinique Pierre-H.-Ruel serves students at the primary, secondary, and adult-education levels struggling in French and mathematics. It also provides a practical-training environment for undergraduate students in school and social adjustment, all of whom must complete a clinical practicum as part of the program. The Clinique mobile Pierre-H.-Ruel's practitioners will visit many schools in Estrie and offer interventions adapted to the needs of each student and their specific contexts.
Major Campaign of the Université de Sherbrooke: More Than $100 Million Raised
As the result of contributions from partners such as TD Bank Group, the Promising Futures, Shared Passions major campaign has raised more than $100 million so far, including $25 million from the university community. This historical campaign promotes major projects with benefits in all spheres of society.
Note to chief information officers: Photos available upon request.
SOURCE Université de Sherbrooke
For further information: Contact media: Éric Massé, Communications Officer, Faculty of Education, Université de Sherbrooke, 819-821-8000, extension 62236, [email protected]; Mathieu Beaudoin, Director, Public Affairs, Groupe Banque TD, 514 289-1670, [email protected]
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