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Athabasca University
Like many educational institutions in Alberta, Athabasca
University was established by the provincial government
as a result of the 1960s enrollment growth and the
1970s economic prosperity. From the onset, however,
Athabasca University’s vision has differed from
Alberta’s three other universities. Realizing that there
may not be a market for another campus-based university,
Athabasca University began as a pilot project for
distance-based education with 650 students between 1972
and 1975. The project was successful, and in 1979 the
University was granted permanent, self-governing status.
Located in the town of Athabasca, with satellite
learning centres in Calgary, Edmonton, and Fort
McMurray, the university educates 30,000 students per
year from various locations around the province, and
even the world. Dedicated to removing the constraints of
time, space, past educational experience and level of
income which bar many potential students from
traditional post-secondary education, Athabasca
University is truly about education for the people. Many
of its students have families, are older than the
typical student, or are working full or part-time.
Canada’s leader in online and distance learning,
Athabasca University is perhaps Alberta’s greatest
success story in education innovation.
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Heritage Community Foundation Presents
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