After 42 years, the association will now be called the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CIC) but will continue to be the voice of 95% of Canada’s publicly funded colleges, institutes and polytechnics.

“Canada’s colleges and institutions have changed a lot over the last 42 years and it is time for our association to reflect that incredible evolution”

In a statement, the organisation said now is a critical time for post-secondary education in Canada.

“Canada’s colleges and institutions have changed a lot over the last 42 years and it is time for our association to reflect that incredible evolution,” said CIC president and CEO Denis Amyot.

“Too often, college & institute credentials have been viewed as second-best. This is not the case and the new Colleges and Institutes Canada brand positions us well to demonstrate the college advantage.”

Speaking with The PIE News, Paul Brennan, VP International of CIC said the new name will also help the organisation be better understood in foreign markets.

“The use of ‘community colleges’ was often confusing in an overseas context,” he said. “In many countries and some entire continents, like South America, community colleges are secondary schools in their communities.

“While our members all have strong links with their communities, particularly with employers, focusing on the ‘colleges’ and ‘institutes’ advantage, combined with ‘Canada,’ will explain more clearly who were are,” he added.

The association is asking partner institutions to not use any acronyms, but instead its full name to avoid any further confusion.

For the new logo, CIC held a contest among college students across the country. The winning design was submitted by Matt Szurnicki, a production art student at Winnipeg Technical College.

“The stylised maple leaf of made of smaller leaves reaching outwards perfectly illustrates CIC’s collaborative approach and ambition to champion colleges, institutes and polytechnics in Canada,” said the organisation.

Member campuses work with industry to train 1.5 million learner at campuses service 3,000 rural, urban and remote communities in Canada. The association operates in 29 countries via 13 offices around the world including

It is also secretariat for the World Federation of College and Plolytechnics.