Atlantic Canada’s universities are working together to strengthen access to higher education for military personnel, veterans, reservists and their families. An October 19 announcement follows an earlier announcement by the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents in June.
Through a first-of-its-kind regional partnership in Canada, the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) and the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), establishing an Atlantic Canadian framework to support military-connected learners across Atlantic Canada’s 16 universities.
Atlantic Canada is home to more than 17,000 Canadian Armed Forces members across the Regular Force, Primary Reserve and Canadian Rangers. The partnership recognizes the important role universities can play in helping military members and their families access post-secondary education and achieve their academic and career goals.
CMVF3C is a national consortium of post-secondary institutions and community partners dedicated to supporting military-connected students. Through the MOU, Atlantic universities will work together to improve access, student success and well-being for military-connected learners.
Key actions include recognizing skills, training and qualifications acquired through military service to support academic pathways; assisting military members and families who transfer between institutions as a result of postings or relocation; and strengthening campus-based supports and services that contribute to student success and well-being.
The agreement aligns with Canada’s renewed investment in national defence. Recent federal investments reflect a substantial commitment to growing the military presence in Atlantic Canada and to modernizing defence infrastructure. Atlantic Canada’s universities are well-positioned to support the next generation of military personnel, veterans and their families as they build careers and pursue post-secondary education.
