TORONTO, Jan. 8 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government has opened nominations

for the new Leadership in Faculty Teaching (LIFT) Award to recognize teaching

excellence at Ontario's colleges and universities, Chris Bentley, Minister of

Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.

     "Faculty who go the extra mile to provide college and university students

with an outstanding learning experience should be recognized for their

teaching efforts," Bentley said. "That's why our government is promoting

teaching excellence by encouraging students and faculty to nominate the best

teachers for the first annual LIFT Award."

     The nominations for the LIFT Award open today and will close February 28,

2007. Students and faculty can learn more about the awards and download a

nomination package at ontario.ca/facultyawards.

     Up to 100 of Ontario's best faculty will be honoured each year with the

Leadership in Faculty Teaching Award. Winners will receive $20,000 over two

years to encourage continued excellence in the classroom setting.

     Creating a new award to promote teaching excellence in the postsecondary

education system is the latest way the McGuinty government is working to

provide increased quality and opportunity for Ontario's students. Other

initiatives include:

         -  Establishing the new arm's-length Higher Education Quality Council

            of Ontario to support continued quality improvement in

            postsecondary education, monitor the student access guarantee, and

            provide greater accountability at colleges and universities

         -  Providing increased funding to Ontario's colleges and universities

            to hire new faculty and staff and increase student/faculty

            interaction

         -  Improving student services and access to enhanced libraries,

            laboratories and equipment for hands-on learning.

     Under the Reaching Higher Plan, the Ontario government is making a

historic $6.2 billion multi-year investment to support postsecondary education

- the largest in 40 years - to improve access and quality at Ontario's

colleges and universities.

     "Our goal is to recognize and support the importance of teaching in

Ontario's universities and colleges as part of our drive for improved

quality," said Bentley. "This new provincial teaching award for college and

university faculty underlines the value we place on teaching excellence in our

postsecondary classrooms."