Through the EleV Program the Mastercard Foundation has partnered with ITK to provide a historic $50 million donation that will support the launch, sustainability and key next steps to advance Inuit Nunangat University (INU).
In June 2011, ITK introduced the National Strategy on Inuit Education, which sets out the steps needed to reclaim Inuit education systems. The Strategy identified establishing a university in Inuit Nunangat as a critical element to increasing success in post-secondary education for Inuit youth. INU will deliver culturally-grounded, accessible, and relevant university education in the Inuit homeland, transforming and strengthening education and economic opportunities guided by the vision and values of Inuit youth.
Through this partnership key deliverables will be completed to formally establish the INU, including academic and infrastructure planning, establishing a trust and endowment mechanism, and other critical components necessary to establish INU in 2025.
This partnership builds on learnings and opportunities emerging from a previous partnership with ITK and will include:
This partnership includes:
• Creating a University Charter, outlining the legislative pathway with federal and provincial/territorial jurisdictions.
• Developing an Academic Plan, including goals, strategies, and frameworks for the initial five faculty areas, with focus on Inuktitut.
• Creating the University Trust and fiscal framework.
• Developing a Communications and Fundraising Plan, which will initiate promotional activities such as a President’s tour.
• Determining a location for the main campus.
• Exploring possibilities for funders and supporters.
