When Saint Mary’s University asked the Nova Scotia government for $25 million to create health data analytics and management programs to transform the province’s health system, the university began by highlighting his financial difficulties.

Citing “significantly reduced operating revenue” due to changes in international student permits and what it describes as challenging student demographics, the University of Halifax said it found itself “at a crossroads.”

This crossroads is that of declining registrations and persistent deficits. Earlier this year, the Saint Mary’s University faculty union demanded the resignation of the university presidentand accused the university management of mismanagement.

Saint Mary’s presented its proposal — which was less than a page long — as something that would align with the province’s goals. plan to repair the health system. The courses would be aimed at health care administrators, office-based physicians and family physicians “to provide them with the business administration skills they need to implement innovative solutions to challenges.”

The university said it would create a healthcare analytics degree that would “bring a new level of data-informed decision-making to Nova Scotia’s healthcare system to help healthcare workers to be responsive and resilient.”

Saint Mary’s has recently begun rolling out its programs, with opposition parties questioning the due diligence the province showed in the first place.

Unlike its local rival Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s does not have medical or nursing schools, but its proposal highlights its existing data analytics program and the reputation of the Sobey School of Business.

When funding was first announced in March 2023it was unclear exactly what the programming would look like.

“This announcement came very suddenly and so now we need to consult with our faculty who design and deliver these programs,” said Madine VanderPlaat, the university’s interim vice president for academics and research. “So we’ll know in a few months where we’re going with this.”

Opposition concerns

It is this uncertainty that partly bothers Liberal Leader Zach Churchill.

“This is typical of the way government in Houston works,” Churchill said. “They spend money to make headlines without really caring about what that money is going to do for people.”

NDP Leader Claudia Chender said it’s another example of announcements from the province “that are pretty big things with pretty uncertain definitions.”

“Frankly, it’s hard to believe this government is doing its due diligence,” she said.

Minister defends funding

Higher Education Minister Brian Wong said he was not concerned about the proposal’s lack of detail.

“I’m not focused on one proposal,” he said. “I’m really focused on what the outcome is going to be. And I know they’re working on it. And I’m confident it’s going to be an important program that will help guide health care initiatives across the country. ‘future.”

In June, the university’s first offering was unveiled, a non-credit course called Unlocking Healthcare Innovation with Design Thinking, which attracted a full class of 25 participants, the spokeswoman said. university, Margaret Murphy.

Future offerings are planned for the next two years and include a mix of non-credit, certificate and diploma programs, according to a timeline provided by the university. Course names include Leading a Healthy Healthcare Workplace, Data Mastery in Healthcare, and Healthcare Leadership Certificate.

Murphy said the province’s $25 million was placed in what’s called an externally restricted fund, meaning it’s separate from the university’s general revenue. The money can only be spent for the specific purpose for which it was received, she said.

What is money for?

Murphy said the university must provide progress reports to the province every six months on the initiative, as well as what the money is being spent on. To date, Murphy said about $5 million has been spent.

Documents obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request show some of the money was spent on improving technology, including non-credit student registration systems, the management system students and systems infrastructure.

When asked why these upgrades were needed specifically for the new healthcare data analytics program, Murphy said it was to improve the student experience and make it easier to complete. registration and payment of tuition fees.

“And it’s quite common that when you get new investment in this area, as the money goes to one area, there can be some spin-off or benefit because no program, no curriculum is developed at a university in total isolation,” she said.

“There will always be, with new technologies, benefits for all of the institution’s systems.”

Murphy also said $530,000 of taxpayer money was spent on new and additional IT infrastructure, part of which is being installed in a data analytics lab on campus.

In addition to the health care data analytics program, the university’s pitch to the province included expanding articulation agreements to create more options for NSCC health care students to earn a Bachelor of Science degree at Saint Mary’s.

“This broadens their scope of knowledge and leads to much easier transitions to more advanced positions or studies,” the proposal states.

Murphy called work on articulation agreements ongoing.

The university defends its project

She said the province’s money is well spent, citing the hundreds of health professionals who will participate in the program, many of whom will be Nova Scotians. She also highlighted the launch of a master’s program in health services research, as well as another master’s program expected to begin in September 2026.

“The proof is in the pudding,” she said.

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