Population Growth A Key Outcome of CBU’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan
Today, Cape Breton University听(CBU)听President David C. Dingwall announced plans for the Centre for Discovery and Innovation at CBU, a project that will sustain the University well into the future and have听significant impacts on Cape Breton Island. To be successful, the project requires action and support from听government, both provincially and federally.听Investment听in this infrastructure project听will help drive population growth and听economic health for the entire Island.听At the press conference,听Dingwall boldly called on local听MPs and MLAs听to act and support the project.听听
鈥淭he Centre for Discovery and Innovation is our number one priority听in this current climate.听It听is so much more than a building. Undoubtedly, the infrastructure is key to strengthening our strategic听advantage,听but the impacts will cascade well beyond the CBU campus. Communities across Cape Breton will benefit听economically, culturally and socially听from our ability to attract learners听from听here in Cape Breton and听from around the world. It is no secret that the population in Cape Breton has been in decline for decades.听But听we can change our course, as we did in 2019, if our local MPs and MLAs will join us in this vision for a prosperous future for Cape Breton,鈥� says Dingwall.听听听
In 2019, Cape Breton saw its first population increase in more than twenty years as a result of international student growth at CBU, a trend that can continue with investment in the Centre for Discovery and Innovation.听Equally as important, as of January 2020, international students contribute $165 million per year to the Cape Breton Island听economy.听In addition to the economic benefits resulting from听CBU鈥檚 enrolment success, local services such as transit have improved, labour shortage gaps across the Island have been filled, communities have been infused with expanded cultural diversity and businesses have benefited from international perspectives.听听
The Centre for Discovery and Innovation is听an $80 million听shovel-ready听project听that听has the power to ensure the institution鈥檚 sustainability and impact into the future. A modern research and instructional facility featuring cutting-edge design and clean technology, it will enable CBU to attract the brightest minds from Cape Breton Island and around the world. Home to state-of-the-art research and research training听laboratories, with听innovation听space听to听facilitate听industry partnerships that create local solutions for global problems, the Centre will transform Cape Breton Island through collaboration and cooperation, help stimulate the local economy, and enhance the institution鈥檚 competitive advantage in the international post-secondary education market.听As well, the Centre will house the Marshall Institute which will听focus听on environmental justice and Indigenous approaches to climate change, collaborate with听L鈥檔u听Elders, knowledge keepers,听educators, and political leaders听to听advance understandings of听the听ongoing relevance of historic Treaties of Peace and Friendship.听
鈥淐OVID-19 has certainly created many challenges, but we are looking to the future with determination and a strong vision for听CBU and听Cape Breton Island. I know听Cape听Bretoners听have听witnessed the significant impact the University has had on the 蘑菇视频ios.听Our students deserve modern facilities and听Cape Breton听needs young, educated and trained people who bring international perspectives.听I encourage people from across Cape Breton Island to call, write and email our听local government officials to voice their support. This project will not move forward without government.鈥� says Dingwall.听
For more information and to support the project, visit 听