Ottawa, May 18, 2017 – For a seventh consecutive year, the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) has awarded merit scholarships to eleven exemplary students enrolled in a French-language, post-secondary healthcare program offered by francophone or bilingual colleges and universities located in minority francophone communities all across the country.
This year, these future healthcare professionals had the unique experience of being honored in the Canadian Parliament earlier today. Sponsored by Senator Raymonde Gagné, the event was attended by three parliamentary secretaries: Peter Schiefke, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth) and Sean Casey, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. A dozen parliamentarians from the same regions or provinces as the recipients, along with officials from Health Canada and Canadian Heritage were also in attendance to congratulate the award winners. Moreover, the students were invited by Senator Gagné to the Senate Chamber where they were acknowledged and received warm applause by all Senators.
Mr. Gabor Csepregi, co-president of the CNFS and rector of the Université de Saint-Boniface, said, « In recognition of these exceptional students’ efforts, we are pleased to award scholarships to them to pursue their studies to become confident healthcare professionals, committed to offering quality care in French in their community. Congratulations! »
Each student received a $1,500 award of excellence and a certificate of recognition from Health Canada for their outstanding academic achievement, as well as for their leadership and community engagement. The funding of these scholarships, as with all CNFS initiatives, is supported with an investment from Health Canada through the federal Road Map for Canada’s Official Languages 2013-2018: Education, Immigration, Communities.
« Our official languages are an integral part of Canada's identity. Our government is committed to supporting the development of official-language minority communities across Canada. These awards for excellence shine a spotlight on the work being done in our communities to ensure the vitality of Canada's Francophonie, » said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Mr. Raymond Théberge, co-president of the CNFS and rector and vice-chancellor of the University of Moncton added, « Since its creation in 2003, the benefits of the CNFS go well beyond the support it
offers to hundreds of post-secondary programs in health care and the 7533 graduates now serving in their communities. The CNFS also works to create conditions favourable to the active offer of health services in French through a uniquely collaborative and novel approach whose goal is sustainable changes to the healthcare system. »
Knowledge mobilization, the expansion of knowledge through research, practical experience outside urban settings, and an increasing number of training programs are all aspects of training competent health care professionals. The CNFS, as the main talent catalyst, and in collaboration with its partners and member institutions, actively promotes positive change in these fields of intervention.
For more information about the initiatives of the CNFS, please consult the Rapport des activités du CNFS 2016-2017 (in French only) and visit: www.cnfs.net.
About the CNFS
The CNFS is a pan-Canadian group of 11 colleges and universities that offer French-language education in various health and social service disciplines. The CNFS also includes six regional partners dedicated to increasing and facilitating access to these training programs throughout the country. Since April 1, 2015, the CNFS has been operating under the umbrella of the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC). The CNFS contributed greatly to the creation of the ACUFC and has retained its corporate identity and operational model within the new association. CNFS programs and activities are financed by Health Canada as part of the Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages 2013-2018: Education, Immigration, Communities.
Information
National Secretariat, ACUFC
Caroline Gagnon
Director of Communications, ACUFC
Tel.: 613-244-7837 ext. 105
Cell. : 613-222-6076