The Royal Military College Saint-Jean is recognized as a university-level educational institution

June 8, 2021 - Defence Stories

On June 3, 2021, the National Assembly of Quebec passed Bill 93, which recognizes Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean) as a university-level educational institution and confers upon it the status of a full-fledged university.

Bill 93 is the culmination of initiative 3 of Canada's Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged. As part of the Defence Policy, Canada committed to re-establishing the academic status of RMC Saint-Jean to help prepare the next generation of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) leaders for success.

With the adoption of the bill, RMC Saint-Jean regains its place on the list of university-level educational institutions in Quebec, which will allow Officer Cadets and Naval Cadets who so wish the opportunity to complete their academic instruction and training in that province. University students will receive comprehensive training based on four pillars: academic studies, military training, bilingualism and physical fitness.

"The College already had the authorization of the Ministry of Higher Education to award certain diplomas and degrees at the university level, as we did on May 14, 2021, with the first 12 graduates of the baccalaureate in International Studies," said Brigadier-General Nicolas Pilon, Commandant of RMC Saint-Jean. "Now, with full university status, RMC Saint-Jean can aim to reach its full potential."

More than 300 Officer Cadets and Naval Cadets from across Canada studied at RMC Saint-Jean during the 2020-2021 academic year, of which 25 per cent were women and 60 per cent Francophones. This diversity will strengthen cultural skills among the Officer Cadets, while promoting bilingualism within the CAF. University status also allows research to flourish, whether in ethics, structural organization, fund management or the dissemination of scientific expertise in academia and in society in general.

"The education offered to future officers, nourished by knowledge derived from cutting edge research, promotes the development of their analytical capacity and their critical thinking," said James Groen, Director of Studies at RMC Saint-Jean. "Thanks to research, university programs are therefore part of a recognized scientific landscape."

There is no doubt that with its new university status, RMC Saint-Jean will be able to attract new young people eager to achieve great aspirations!  

Useful links

• Statement of the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence
• RMC Saint-Jean web page 
• Assemblée Nationale du Québec ­– Bill 93 (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website)