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The Geography of Higher Education in Québec, Canada

image of The Geography of Higher Education in Québec, Canada

Québec is mobilised to become an innovation and entrepreneurial leader in North America, giving higher education institutions (HEIs) a central role in this drive. HEIs are pivotal in developing skills and nurturing talent, connecting and contributing to their communities, including firms, public authorities and civil society. The Stratégie québécoise de recherche et d’investissement en innovation (SQRI) has placed HEIs at the fore front of the provincial innovation and entrepreneurship efforts, including with an explicit spatial approach, through the “innovation zones”. This review assesses the “geography of higher education” in Québec through the examination of ten case study HEIs. These case studies represent examples of innovative and entrepreneurial HEIs that support entrepreneurship and innovation in their communities. In particular, the case studies tell the story of the province of Québec in creating sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation, connecting actors and mobilising resources and policies. The review offers actionable policy recommendations to generate further progress in this direction.

English Also available in: French

Executive Summary

Québec aims to become an innovation and entrepreneurial leader in North America, giving higher education institutions (HEIs) a central role in this drive. HEIs are pivotal in developing skills and nurturing talent, connecting and contributing to their communities, including firms, public authorities and civil society. The Stratégie québécoise de recherche et d’investissementen innovation (SQRI 2) 2022-2027 (Québec research and Innovation Investment Strategy) has entrusted HEIs with an important role to play in provincial innovation and entrepreneurship efforts, including with an explicit spatial approach, through the implementation of “innovation zones”, which connect innovation and regional development agendas in non-metropolitan areas, with a focus on sustainable urban development. The SQRI 2 represents a total investment of CAD 7.5 billion (approx. EUR 5.2 billion) implemented over a five-year period that began in 2022.

English Also available in: French

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