Gabriel Dumont Institute Does Well In Evaluation

Gabriel Dumont Institute Does Well In Evaluation

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 15:19

 

 

The Gabriel Dumont Institute has earned high marks in an evaluation commissioned by the provincial government.

 

EKOS Research Associates conducted a review last fall of all GDI programs, including the Dumont Technical Institute and SUNTEP.

 

The purpose of the evaluation was to gauge GDI’s effectiveness from September 2004 to June 2007.

 

It found that the Metis-specific mandate of the institute is a key distinctive feature that’s critical to the success of students — and that GDI is considered a model for Metis education in Canada and a source of pride among Metis in other provinces.

 

Faculty, staff and the institution’s board of governors also received praise — an accomplishment not lost on executive director Geordy McCaffrey.

 

McCaffrey says the praise for the board is especially noteworthy given the turbulent nature of Metis politics in recent years.

 

He also says the review noted the need for improvements to internal communication as well as to how GDI markets itself.

 

Funding was the most frequently-mentioned challenge for the institute mentioned in the evaluation — especially the limitations it places on GDI’s operations and programming, including student support services and language promotion and education.