An expert panel examining post-secondary funding in Alberta has delivered 11 recommendations to modernize the province’s college and university system.

The panel submitted its final report to Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall in August, according to a Government of Alberta news release.

Recommendations cover a new funding framework, tuition and student aid, international students, governance, institutional autonomy, red tape reduction and institutional neutrality.

McDougall says the recommendations will help ensure the sustainability of Alberta’s post-secondary education system.

“We sincerely thank the panel for their excellent, thorough and thoughtful work over the past nine months,” McDougall says.

The panel, chaired by economist Dr. Jack Mintz, was appointed in December 2024 to review provincial funding for public post-secondary institutions and independent academic institutions.

Panel members examined funding mechanisms, federal immigration policy impacts, costs of administrative and regulatory burdens, and the overall competitiveness of Alberta’s system. Other panel members included Charlene Butler, Dr. Ray Block, Joan Hertz and Peter MacKinnon.

Mintz says institutions need a transparent, flexible funding framework that supports enrolment growth while ensuring students aren’t hit with sudden tuition increases during multi-year programs.

“This report provides a new funding framework that can accommodate these goals to ensure that post-secondary institutions contribute to Alberta’s success and prosperity,” Mintz says.

The panel engaged with representatives from 26 institutions, faculty associations, student associations and industry organizations. An external consultant supported collection of information from other provinces, territories and international jurisdictions.

Alberta Advanced Education is reviewing the report and will engage with the province’s post-secondary institutions to discuss recommendations and next steps.

Dr. Melanie Humphreys, chair of the Alberta Post-Secondary Network and president of The King’s University, says the network looks forward to reviewing the panel’s findings to ensure system sustainability.

University of Alberta president Bill Flanagan says the institution looks forward to working with the government on changes needed to strengthen and sustain the system.