Message from the Minister and
Accountability Statement

It is my pleasure to present the Ministry of Advanced Education 2005/06 – 2007/08 Service Plan Update September 2005.

Since the ministry issued its service plan last February, government has been re-elected and the cabinet structure has been reorganized to improve the focus on government's priorities for the years ahead. This reorganization changed some of the Ministry of Advanced Education's responsibilities. These changes are reflected in this service plan update, which replaces the service plan issued in February 2005.

The changes to our ministry include expanded responsibility for research and technology, and the transfer of our former responsibility for industry training to the Ministry of Economic Development. We have also updated our ministry's vision, mission, values, goals and objectives to accurately reflect our ministry's mandate and its contribution to government's strategic priorities.

Post-secondary education imparts knowledge and skills that help British Columbians meet their full potential. Research, technology and innovation create wealth, solve problems, and enhance our social, cultural and physical well-being. These parts of our ministry's mandate enrich the lives of British Columbians in a complementary manner by expanding knowledge, fostering ideas, creating solutions and supporting prosperity.

In the months and years ahead, the ministry will work with stakeholders in the post-secondary system and the research and technology sector to ensure growth and improvement. We will continue promoting post-secondary access and capacity by improving student financial aid, and by expanding facilities and seats at public institutions, adding 25,000 more student spaces between 2004 and 2010. We will ensure students receive relevant, high-quality education and training, preparing them for a modern workforce in a modern society. We will direct special attention to programs that respond to potential labour shortages and that improve adult literacy. We will ensure that the public post-secondary system continues to operate in an open, transparent and accountable manner through the Accountability Framework for Public Post-Secondary Education. We will launch a provincial research and innovation strategy to take full advantage of public and private research facilities in the province. And we will support efforts to attract the best and brightest minds to British Columbia, bolstering our province's reputation as a world-class centre for research and technology.

The Ministry of Advanced Education 2005/06 – 2007/08 Service Plan Update September 2005 was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. I am accountable for the basis on which the plan has been prepared. All material fiscal assumptions and policy decisions as of August 31, 2005, have been considered in preparing the plan and I am accountable for achieving the specific objectives in the plan.

Honourable Murray Coell,
Minister of Advanced Education
and Minister Responsible for Research and Technology

September 1, 2005