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Ontario high school students earning course credits in Law and Justice at Laurentian University

Ontario high school students earning course credits in Law and Justice at Laurentian University

A dozen grade 12 students enroll in university courses as part of a pilot project.

(May 26, 2025) - Grade 12 students from Francophone high schools recently benefited from course offering in Law and Justice at Laurentian University, as part of a pilot project. 

Championed by School of Liberal Arts, Associate Professor Stéphanie Martens, PhD and Full Professor Michel Giroux, PhD, the initiative enabled students in the pre-university (4U) stream to register for Introduction to Legal Studies (JURI1106) and Introduction to Criminal Law (JURI1107) courses. Eligible students were granted access to the courses at no cost, offering them valuable early exposure to postsecondary education.

Laurentian's Office of Francophone Affairs collaborated closely with the Faculty of Arts to facilitate access. Patrick Venne, Innovation and Development Specialist, helped coordinate efforts among participating high schools and school boards. "High school staff are heroes, working hard to meet the needs of their students,” he said. “This initiative is a way to give 4U students access to courses they might not otherwise be able to take.”

Upon completion of the experience, students received an official attestation from Laurentian University’s Registrar which will allow these three-credit courses to be recorded on their official transcripts following their official enrolment to the University.

The Office of Francophone Affairs, in partnership with Laurentian faculties, is exploring the possibility of replicating the project on a larger scale to allow even greater participation.

"Being a Francophone in a minority environment means we have to innovate and collaborate. We have to work hand in hand with school boards, community organizations and families in our communities. Laurentian University supports Francophones. It's not always easy, but we count ourselves lucky to be part of the precious network that is la francophonie,” added Venne.

“This was an incredible learning opportunity for our students who partook in this initiative,” said Brigitte Raymond, Orientation Counsellor from Sudbury local École secondaire Macdonald-Cartier. “Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience that provided them a glimpse of what postsecondary life is like, better equipping them for their future academic journeys.”

This project reflects Laurentian University’s commitment to accessible, inclusive, and innovative education—particularly for Francophone learners. By bridging the gap between secondary and postsecondary education, the initiative not only empowers students but also strengthens the broader Francophone academic ecosystem in Ontario. As plans for expansion take shape, this model has the potential to become a transformative pathway for student success.

Accreditations renewed for French-language Teacher Education programs at Laurentian University

Accreditations renewed for French-language Teacher Education programs at Laurentian University

New programs committed to responding to teacher shortage

(March 21, 2023) - Graduates of Laurentian University’s education programs have been, and continue to be, in very high demand. French language programs offered by Laurentian’s School of Education have successfully renewed their accreditation for seven years with the Ontario College of Teachers. This includes the accreditation of new and existing programs: 

A unique incentive to enroll in Laurentian’s Baccalauréat en éducation (en plusieurs parties, en ligne, à temps partiel) is now available to francophone students. This OCT-accredited multi-session program aims at enabling teacher-candidates to enter the profession with a Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration as they are completing their program. Once a student completes specific requirements, including completing two weeks of placements, they will become eligible for this transitional certificate. 

 “Graduates from Laurentian’s education programs are in high demand, and this is especially true of those enrolled in our French-language teacher education programs. This accreditation will act as a catalyst for those considering a career in education,” said Dr. Patrice Milewski, Laurentian University’s Interim Dean, Faculty of Education and Health. 

The teacher shortage has been a concern for the Province’s French-language school boards for many years. Laurentian will help counter this shortage with its education programs.

“Laurentian University is committed to responding to the current teacher shortage. These newly accredited programs will assist not only our students, but also French-language school boards who seek to fill the employment gap of qualified teachers. Laurentian University is very well positioned to support the need for teachers in Northern Ontario, and in the wider reaches of the Province,” said Roch Gallien, Special Advisor of the Office of Francophone Affairs, Laurentian University. 

Laurentian currently has nearly 250 students studying in French-language education programs, and applications remain open for fall 2023. 


 

4th symposium on the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities' Language Planning Policy

4th symposium on the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities' Language Planning Policy

For this two-day symposium, more than 80 participants came together in Sudbury

May 8, 2015) – The annual symposium on Ontario’s Language Planning Policy (Politique d’aménagement linguistique) for French-language postsecondary education and training wrapped up today at Laurentian University. The fourth annual event focussed on partnerships and collaborations and was organized by Laurentian University’s Office of Francophone Affairs.

For this two-day symposium, more than 80 participants came together in Sudbury, including representatives of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, professors, students, Francophone school board administrators as well as officers of the province’s Francophone and bilingual postsecondary institutions.

“I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the key role that Laurentian University plays in the North,” said the Honorable Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, during his opening remarks. Among other recent accomplishments, it is worth mentioning that Laurentian University became on July 1st, 2014, the first bilingual university to receive partial designation under the French-Language Services Act.

Laurentian University’s president and vice-chancellor, Dominic Giroux, congratulated the numerous symposium participants. “The connections we make today only strengthen our commitment to the Francophone community. Because of your participation and an exchange of best practices, Ontario’s Francophonie continues to shine with the support of its pillars in the education sector.” 

Five conferences were given during the event. In addition, during round table discussions preceded by preparatory work, participants were asked to reflect on three themes, namely identity hybridity and French-language education, academic competence and linguistic competence, and cultural diversity and Francophone identity in Ontario schools.

More information on the symposium is posted at: www.symposiumpal2015.com