EDMONTON, AB – The University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) welcomes and celebrates the Government of Alberta's commitment of $3 million over three years to support Open Educational Resources (OER) across the province. This funding represents a significant step toward making post-secondary education more affordable, more accessible and more open for students across Alberta.
"Open Educational Resources are a game-changer for student affordability," said Pedro Almeida, UASU President. "This investment addresses a primary financial barrier. We are pleased to see the provincial government prioritize student-led advocacy and take concrete action to lower the cost of a high-quality education. At a time when the University of Alberta is moving toward an automatic textbook billing model that has raised concerns for many students, investment in OER is especially important because it expands affordable options and protects student choice."
The UASU has long advocated for increased OER funding, highlighting that traditional textbook costs often significantly worsen the overall financial picture of students pursuing post-secondary education. The shift to open-access materials, if targeted to the appropriate areas, can save individual students hundreds of dollars per semester, providing immediate relief to their financial burdens.
OERs also offer benefits that go beyond affordability. By making educational materials openly available, they support the wider sharing of knowledge across classrooms, institutions and communities. They give instructors greater flexibility to adapt materials to their courses, encourage innovation in teaching and help ensure that public investment in post-secondary education remains efficient in creating resources with lasting value for people across the province.
Consultation on the implementation of this funding is currently underway. We have shared our perspectives on affordability to ensure the $3 million is distributed effectively and responsibly across Alberta’s post-secondary system.
"This streamlined focus on digital and open resources will help ease the financial experience of students who are already here and struggling with the cost of living," said UASU Vice President (External) Abdul Abbasi. “We are happy to see the result of our advocacy come to fruition. Students look forward to seeing the results of this investment implemented on the ground, where it will have a direct and immediate impact.”
About the UASU
The University of Alberta Students' Union (UASU) represents 39,000 undergraduate students at the University of Alberta. We advocate for a post-secondary system that is affordable, accessible, and built around student success