TORONTO — Ontario's colleges and universities minister says the Ontario government approved the establishment of two male-only campuses in Saudi Arabia.
Premier Kathleen Wynne said Friday she'd just learned that the Saudi campuses set up by Algonquin and Niagara Colleges did not admit women, a situation she called unacceptable as she asked Reza Moridi to investigate.
Moridi confirms the colleges applied to his ministry to establish the Saudi campuses, and were given the green light by previous ministers in 2008 and 2012.
However, Moridi says the province's responsibility is to approve financial plans for the Saudi expansions and that it's up to the colleges to determine who is admitted.
He says media stories about the male-only Saudi campuses identified a "gap" in the approvals process between the responsibilities of the government and the colleges' boards of directors, and he wants that gap closed.
![](https://media.darpanmagazine.com/library/uploads/news/content/niagara-college@#</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
algonquin college says it lost a bid to establish a women's college in saudi arabia — where shariah law forbids educating men and women in the same class — and questions wynne's criticism of its male-only campus.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"we are seeking clarification around the premier's comments and will have more to say on this topic when we have that clarification," algonquin's spokesman scott anderson said in an email.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"since the beginning algonquin has been open and transparent about the college's work in saudi arabia...providing regular updates to our board and to the ontario government."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
moridi wouldn't say if algonquin and niagara would have to shut their male-only saudi operations if they can't also open women's colleges in the kingdom.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"we are in the process of talking to the sector and then we will get to that," he said.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"we are going to have a conversation with the college and university sector to make sure that our internationalization policy will be based on the norms and the culture which we follow."</div>.jpg)
MORE National ARTICLES
'You Sort Of Wish The Car Could Talk:' Vehicles Abandoned At Edmonton Airport
Parking staff at the Edmonton International Airport regularly patrol its vast lots and keep a list of vehicles that have been sitting in the same spot for too long.
'You Sort Of Wish The Car Could Talk:' Vehicles Abandoned At Edmonton Airport
American Astronaut Clicks Pics Of Massive Blizzard From Space
In another photo, Kelly, 51, pointed out that the huge system moving from Chicago toward the east "clearly has a long way to go."
American Astronaut Clicks Pics Of Massive Blizzard From Space
With Warmth In Chandigarh, Modi, Hollande Get Down To Business
Modi pitched for investment in India by French companies, saying India had a lot to offer in terms of skilled workforce and as a market for French products.
With Warmth In Chandigarh, Modi, Hollande Get Down To Business
Smart Cars That Share Revealing Info About Drivers Catch Privacy Watchdog's Eye
The family car is learning more about who's behind the wheel — everything from where a driver likes to shop to how hard they brake — as automakers roll out new tech-savvy features.
Smart Cars That Share Revealing Info About Drivers Catch Privacy Watchdog's Eye
A Century Ago, A Savvy Political Campaign Won Women The Right To Vote
OTTAWA — "We were young and vigorous and full of ambition. We would rewrite our history. We would copy no other country. We would be ourselves, and proud of it." — Nellie McClung.
A Century Ago, A Savvy Political Campaign Won Women The Right To Vote
Liberals Look To Speed Up Spending Old Conservative Fund As Parliament Returns
The majority government of Justin Trudeau gets down to business in earnest this week with a dozen competing priorities and a gloomy economic outlook.