St. Francis Xavier University has been awarded $794,000 to expand and enhance its computer science programs.
“StFX University is delighted to receive funding from the provincial government to enhance our computer science programs,” said Dr. Andy Hakin, President and Vice-Chancellor, StFX University. “We look forward to collaborating with our colleagues in government to create more opportunities for study in computer science programs and promote opportunities for under-represented groups within the emerging digital economy of our province.”
Digital skills drive the start-up economy and COVID-19 has accelerated digital adaptation and increased its importance. The digital future is here, and digital skills are essential to creating the jobs of today. Producing more digital talent in Nova Scotia will strengthen the start-up ecosystem across all areas from clean tech to agri-food and ocean sciences.
“As we work toward economic recovery, we need to focus on sectors that will energize our economy and set us up for long-term sustainability,” said Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. “This investment will help foster new opportunities in the digital sector with an emphasis on equity and inclusion and ensure more Nova Scotians have access to the training they need.
Nova Scotian universities and our quality of life have long been natural advantages to our start-up environment, but we can aim to be a world leading start-up capital where CEO’s invest, grow their firms and create more jobs.”
As Nova Scotia’s digital economy continues to grow, the need for more training opportunities in computer science is essential. The province invested $16.8 million in Dalhousie University, Acadia University, Saint Mary’s University and St. Francis Xavier University to increase or enhance their respective computer science programming.
To ensure the funding aligns with the province’s economic vision for a future that includes everyone, an advisory group with representatives from the Departments of Labour and Advanced Education, Inclusive Economic Growth and Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services will work collaboratively with the universities and oversee their proposals on how the funds will be spent.
