APPLICATION FOR CONSENT TO USE THE TERM “UNIVERSITY” Application for Ministerial Consent under the Post- secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000 Submitted by University of Niagara Falls Canada May 31, 2021 1 Application for Consent to Use the Term “University” Application for Ministerial Consent under the Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000 Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario Primary Contact: Victoria Martin Chief Commercial & Compliance Officer Global University Systems Canada 626 W Pender St #100, Vancouver, BC – V6B 1V9 Email: [email protected] Submission Date: May 31, 2021 Application for Consent to Use the Term “University” 1. Overview Niagara Education Inc. seeks consent to use the term “University” and to use the name “University of Niagara Falls Canada” (UNF). We believe that the university, as proposed in our application for Organization Review and our applications to offer Degree Programs, substantially meets the criteria set out in Section 10.1 of the 2020 Manual for Private Organizations. This document demonstrates how the proposed university meets each of the ten criteria. 2. Legally authorized to grant degrees in Ontario or in another jurisdiction Upon receiving the Minister’s consent, the proposed university will be legally authorized to grant degrees in Ontario. Niagara Education Inc. is wholly owned by Global University Systems. With multiple subsidiaries and affiliated institutions comprising a worldwide network, Global University Systems has extensive experience delivering university education services in other jurisdictions. The proposed university will benefit from the expertise of Global University Systems Canada, which has successfully operated University Canada West in Vancouver since 2014. ● University Canada West has received consent from the B.C. Minister of Advanced Education to use the term “university” and to offer certain undergraduate and graduate degrees, based on the review and approval process of the B.C. Degree Quality Assessment Board. The proposed university will also have access to the expertise of the other universities in the Global University Systems network, including: ● The University of Law is the largest provider of professional legal education and training in the world with centres in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, Manchester and Leeds, UK. It offers undergraduate degrees in Law, Business, Policing, Criminology and Politics, and graduate degrees in Law and Business. ● Arden University offers baccalaureate and master’s degrees through online distance learning and through blended learning courses at study centres in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Berlin. ● The University of Applied Sciences Europe (UE) is a prominent state-accredited higher education provider in Germany, with three campuses in Berlin, Hamburg, and Iserlohn. It offers programs in business, art and design, media and communications, sports management and psychology. ● Medical University of the Americas, based in Charlestown, Nevis, has enjoyed a steady track record of success, with more than 1,000 graduates, excellent performance on licensing exams and a history of winning top residency positions. ● Saba University School of Medicine, located in Saba, Dutch Caribbean, is one of the world’s leading international medical schools. 1 ● St. Matthew's University is a fully accredited medical school and veterinary school, based in Grand Cayman, with successful graduates practicing in Canada, the United States and other countries. 3. Has a charter or statute including the word “university” in the organization’s title Upon receiving the Minister’s consent, the proposed university will be legally authorized to use the word “university” in its title. 4. Has a mission and practice including the creation of knowledge through research and/or scholarly activity and the dissemination of knowledge through teaching, publication, and presentation The mission statement of the university is “To prepare graduates to be leaders in a digital world through innovative degree programs and research.” Aligned with its mission, UNF will focus on a foundational set of skills, knowledge and aptitudes for all graduates that will enable them to compete in the digital economy. This foundational education will be called “Digital Mindset”. The University believes that for graduates to succeed and be adaptable and resilient, they need to achieve a digital mindset – defined as a combination of growth mindset (a future focussed, collaborative, change oriented, learning disposition) and digital fluency (a combination of technical proficiency, literacy, ethics and communication). UNF will be primarily a teaching university, but research and scholarly activity are essential to its mission. Full-time faculty will be required to engage in research and scholarly activity. The range of research and scholarly activities at the University will include discipline-specific research; research and scholarship related to business or professional practice; and research and scholarship related to improvements in university teaching and learning. Full-time faculty will engage in research and scholarly activity, with annual plans and funding jointly discussed between each faculty member and the Program Chair. An amount of funding for professional development will be allocated to each faculty member, and they may also apply for additional funding. 2 5. Offers a comprehensive range of degree programs normally including, but not limited to, arts and science At the undergraduate level, the proposed university is seeking approval to offer the following programs: ● Honours Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Sciences ● Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – Majors in Digital Economy and Digital Marketing Each of these programs will include elective studies that draw on a range of disciplines appropriate at a university level. At the graduate level, the proposed university is seeking approval to offer the following programs: ● Master of Science in Data Analytics – Specializations in Marketing Analytics or Operations Analytics, as well as a General stream ● Master of Management – Specializations in Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship ● Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications These multidisciplinary programs will draw on a range of academic disciplines from the fields of Arts, Science, and Management. We believe that this is an ambitious but achievable range of degree programs to offer during the university’s start-up years. Our intention is to expand the range of program offered as enrolments grow. 6. Normally offers programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and has appropriate curriculum design and degree level learning outcome standards for each program offered leading to the respective degrees The proposed university is seeking approval to offer 2 undergraduate programs and 3 graduate programs. The proposals for each program demonstrate how the program will conform to the Ontario Qualifications Framework. The proposals show the expected learning outcomes and a curriculum that aligns with those outcomes. 7. Has policies and procedures for admission, promotion, and graduation of students comparable to the policies and practices of Ontario universities The Admissions Policy outlines the standards for admission to a program of study at the University. Admissions will be based on generally accepted Ontario university standards. To be admissible to an undergraduate program, Ontario students should hold an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with ENG4U and five additional 4U or M courses. The student’s academic average should be at least 70 per cent. Comparable requirements will apply to students from other provinces and international students. For admission to a graduate program, applicants must hold a recognized four-year undergraduate degree with CGPA of 3.0 (on a 4.33 scale) or better. Individual undergraduate or graduate programs may have additional requirements for admission. 3 Applicants whose first language is not English, or who have received their education in another language, must provide evidence of English language proficiency at a university level. To recognize learning outside of the formal education system, we will put in place a rigorous prior learning assessment process that may help more mature students access our programs. A holistic admissions process will look at the whole person to make sure that they will be successful and engaged in our programs. We will accept credit from other institutions so students do not needlessly repeat courses. We will look to sign articulation agreements with Canadian Colleges so that diploma holders have a clear pathway to degree completion. Our objective is for the complete articulation of suitable 60-credit diplomas into our undergraduate programs such that students are not required to take additional courses at the 100 and 200 level. At the graduate level, we will look to admit Ontario college honours baccalaureate degree holders straight into graduate school with no additional courses. As outlined in the Promotion and Graduation Policy, to be eligible to graduate from a program of study, a student must be in Good Academic Standing, which is defined in the Academic Standing policy as a minimum CPGA of 2.0 for undergraduate programs and a minimum CPGA of 3.0 for graduate programs. In addition, a student must satisfy all graduation requirements for their program of study as outlined in the Academic Calendar in effect at the