BRAMPTON, ON – Political and business leaders from Brampton and around the GTHA gathered at a Brampton Board of Trade event today to celebrate the announcement of a significant education infrastructure project that will transform the city. The Honourable Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, along with Harinder Malhi, MPP Brampton-Springdale and Minister of the Status of Women, announced the establishment of a new Ryerson University campus, with Sheridan College as an academic partner, in downtown Brampton.
Slated to open for classes in the Fall of 2022, the new campus will focus on providing students data-driven science and business programming paired with experiential learning. Plans include the new campus, a partnership for a National Centre for Cybersecurity, and a centre for innovation – a joint-use facility which will include public and academic libraries and an innovation zone. The new campus will be built adjacent to the downtown GO Station. The centre of innovation will be located on the land surrounding the existing Nelson Square parking garage.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Brampton, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be partnering with two leading institutions – Ryerson University and Sheridan College – in bringing a new campus and centre for innovation to downtown Brampton,” said Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey. “Today’s exciting announcement marks the start of transformation for Brampton, and new opportunities for our residents. We are looking forward to continuing our excellent partnership with Ryerson and Sheridan to make Brampton a destination for learning and innovation.”
Bringing a new university to Brampton has been a key priority for the City. In September 2017, Brampton City Council made a historic commitment of up to $150 million for a new university and centre for innovation.
The City of Brampton has actively engaged with partners, community groups and businesses over the past year to help lay the foundation for future success. Also instrumental in this success was the work of the Blue Ribbon Panel, established by Council to provide recommendations to bring a university campus to Brampton. In 2017, the City commissioned an economic impact study that highlighted the diversity of economic and social benefits of a new university and centre for innovation. The City is also working with the partners to develop a vision for the centre for innovation, and currently has an active request for procurement for architectural services for this facility.
“We have built a strong partnership with Ryerson and Sheridan,” said Paul Aldunate, project manager of the university initiative for the City of Brampton. “We are eager to move forward together on this exciting project that will bring significant economic and cultural benefits to Brampton and its residents. This project will develop the skilled workforce of tomorrow right here in downtown Brampton.”
This is Ryerson’s first expansion of academic programming outside of its iconic downtown Toronto campus. Ryerson has a reputation as a city-building institution and is globally recognized for its business-focused innovation zones. With a focus on career-oriented education, Ryerson receives the most applications, relative to spaces available, of any university in Ontario.
“In expanding to Brampton, Ryerson will provide much-needed university programs to students in one of the fastest-growing and most diverse communities in Canada,” said Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor of Ryerson University. “We are looking forward to working with Sheridan to provide students in the region with innovative academic programs that offer the critical thinking and problem solving skills needed to succeed and thrive in the modern economy.”
Sheridan has a long history in Brampton, and a strong track record of developing and delivering leading programming. Brampton is already home to the Davis campus and the Centre of Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technology. Sheridan has a well-earned reputation in applied research and experiential learning, and a strong history of building partnerships in and with the City of Brampton.
“Sheridan is exceptionally proud to partner with Ryerson University on this exciting venture,” said Dr Mary Preece, President and Vice-Chancellor of Sheridan. “For 50 years, we’ve been proud to call Brampton home. Today marks the beginning of a new era. We’re building on Sheridan’s strength in teaching creative problem solving, the established track record of both of our institutions for incubating innovation, and our shared belief in the value of experiential learning. Together, we’ll provide even more opportunities for students to gain an education that’s highly relevant for the times.”
