The University of Ottawa is optimistic the provincial government will grant the school $19-million to establish a francophone satellite campus in Woodstock.
Officials with the school met with stakeholders this month to outline the developing plans that would bring about 1,000 students to the Woodstock area in the first five years.
"It can be turn-key quite rapidly because it's going to be on a phase-in approach. We are going to be offering programs in three key areas, as identified by the government, that are areas that are needed in the francophone community; businesses, technology and health sciences," says Vice President of External Relations for University of the Ottawa Louis De Melo, who tells BlackburnNews.com key classroom buildings have already been identified. "As much as we are excited about this we don't know exactly how many students will come in the first year or second year, so we want to take on the phase-in approach."
It is expected the campus would result in upwards of $13-million being added to the area's gross domestic product and create between 155 to 230 jobs within five years.
De Melo says the suggestion for the francophone campus has made it to the second round of proposals with the government.
It is unclear when the government will make a decision on funding.