First francophone university in Ontario set to start classes fall 2021

The campus opening in downtown Toronto will offer courses in programs leading to careers that will support the Ontario workforce

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International students are being invited to fill spaces in the classroom and skilled workers are being sought to populate the staff of Ontario’s first francophone university.

Opening in Toronto in September 2021, the Université de l’Ontario français will offer programs in human plurality, globalized economy, urban environments, and digital cultures. Programs in management, communications, social work, law, and psychology are also expected to launch next fall with the help of partnering institutions.

“We’re working with the provincial government to ensure programs are helping Ontario and Toronto have the workforce needed in several fields where we don’t have enough people specialized and trained,” Jason Luckerhoff, Vice-President of Program and Knowledge Development, told CIC News.

The administration is currently working on creating partnerships with institutions in Africa, Asia, and Europe with the hopes of attracting international students.

Once finalized, the partnerships would make it possible for students to receive credits that would be recognized at both the Université de l’Ontario français and the affiliated institution.

The university is seeking partnership agreements with the following institutions:

From Belgium;

• UCLouvain, Université catholique de Louvain (Louvain-la-Neuve, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Saint-Gilles, Mons, Tournai, Charleroi)
• ULB, Université libre de Bruxelles
• ULiège, Université de Liège (Liège, Gembloux, Arlon)
• UMons, Université de Mons (Mons, Charleroi)
• UNamur, Université de Namur (Namur)
• USL-B, Université Saint-Louis – Bruxelles (Bruxelles)

From Senegal;

• Agence de développement et d’encadrement des PME du Sénégal
• Groupe Sup de Co Dakar

From Vietnam;

• Université Da Nang
• Université de Can Tho
• Université de commerce du Vietnam (UCV)
• Université de Hanoi

In addition, students from English-language universities in Canada will be given the opportunity to study in French.

“University students taking programs [in English] could take all their electives at the Université de l’Ontario in French,” Luckerhoff said. “Instead of just learning French through language courses they would learn [to communicate] in their field.”

Partnering Canadian institutions include:

• Université Laval
• Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
• University of Ottawa
• University of Toronto
• Ryerson University
• Université de Hearst

International students

Though the university is not yet ready to take applications, they are open to making contact with prospective students by email, phone, or by setting up a virtual meeting.

L’Université de l’Ontario français will start accepting applications in April 2020.

“If students are interested in having more info before that, they can write to us or call us,” Luckerhoff said. “We can already give information concerning the programs.”

Hiring staff

Luckerhoff said that there will be “intensive hiring” in February, March, and April. Positions in administration, finance, as faculty lecturers, and others will be available.

“We want to make sure we have a diversity of cultures, languages, and also a balance concerning gender and age,” Luckerhoff said. “We’re open to having a team that reflects the diversity that we want to welcome.”