Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord and Université de l’Ontario français sign Memorandum of Agreement
August 11, 2026
From University Training to the Classroom: A Partnership in Service of French-Language Education
The Université de l’Ontario français (UOF) and the Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord (CS Grand Nord) have signed a memorandum of agreement for an initial three-year term, grounded in reciprocity and shared expertise in support of French-language education.
This commitment takes the form of an exchange between training and practice. The UOF will put its expertise in training and research at the service of CS Grand Nord staff, notably through access to its training programs and certifications. CS Grand Nord, in turn, will give the UOF direct access to the school environment for the training of future teachers and for joint research-action projects.
Through this collaboration, UOF’s future teachers will have access to practical training placements within CS Grand Nord schools, known for their openness to the world and their strong ties to the Francophone communities of Northern Ontario. These future teachers will be able to apply what they have learned in their university studies while gaining first-hand knowledge of the Franco-Ontarian school environment.
The agreement will also allow the Conseil’s teaching staff, school administrators, and pedagogical advisors to benefit from preferred-rate access to UOF training programs and certifications, as well as new professional development offerings developed jointly by both organizations.
Finally, by pooling their expertise and resources, the UOF and CS Grand Nord will strengthen their contribution to the development of French-language education in Ontario through research-action projects that foster pedagogical innovation and raise the profile of both institutions within the Francophonie.
This memorandum of agreement takes effect upon signing and will be implemented over the course of the coming year.
“Our schools are innovative learning environments that place real value on welcoming new teachers into the profession. This partnership with the Université de l’Ontario français helps create the conditions for them to remain at the forefront, both academically and pedagogically, through the UOF’s leading-edge expertise, adapted to the realities of our schools.”
— Carl Dussault, Director of Education, Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord
“This partnership between the UOF and CS Grand Nord helps build a strong, cohesive Francophone education ecosystem. By bringing our expertise together, we are creating opportunities for learning, innovation, and professional development that benefit students and education teams alike — and, ultimately, the next generation of Franco-Ontarians.”
— Normand Labrie, Rector, Université de l’Ontario français