# Alberta Advanced Education

Alberta Advanced Education (also known as the Ministry of Advanced Education) is a ministry in the Executive Council of Alberta. Alberta Advanced Education is responsible for the public funding of post-secondary institutions in the province, in addition to loans and grants for post-secondary students.
The ministry has existed in its current form since 2004. However, two other ministries with the same title existed from 1971–1975 and 1983–1992. On April 30, 2019, Demetrios Nicolaides was appointed Minister of Advanced Education following the 2019 Alberta general election, replacing Marlin Schmidt.

## History

Alberta Advanced Education was founded on November 25, 2004 by an Order-in-Council, with Dave Hancock serving as inaugural minister. Alberta Advanced Education was created after the Ministry of Learning was split into the ministries of Education and Advanced Education.
Previously, the Advanced Education portfolio had changed hands across various ministries, including Advanced Education and Career Development (1992-1999) and Advanced Education and Manpower (1975-1983).
As of 2018, the ministry oversees institutions with a collective enrolment 263,495 students, with 17% of Albertans aged 17 to 34 enrolled in provincial post-secondary entities. Alberta Advanced Education's 2019 budget was $6,156,143,000, $5,700,030,000 (93%) of which was distributed directly to individual institutions.

## Minister of Advanced Education

Minister of Advanced Education :
| Affiliation | Name | Date appointed | Date departed | Premier(s) |
| United Conservative | Demetrios Nicolaides | April 30, 2019 | Incumbent | Kenney; Smith |
| New Democratic | Marlin Schmidt | February 2, 2016 | April 30, 2019 | Notley |
| New Democratic | Lori Sigurdson | May 24, 2015 | February 2, 2016 | Notley |
| Progressive Conservative | Thomas Lukaszuk | February 4, 2013 | 24 May 2015 | Redford; Hancock; Prentice |
| Progressive Conservative | Stephen Khan | May 8, 2012 | February 4, 2013 | Redford |
| Progressive Conservative | Greg Weadick | February 18, 2011 | May 8, 2012 | Stelmach |
| Progressive Conservative | Doug Horner | December 15, 2006 | February 4, 2011 | Stelmach |
| Progressive Conservative | Denis Herard | April 6, 2006 | December 15, 2006 | Klein |
| Progressive Conservative | Dave Hancock | November 25, 2004 | April 5, 2006 | Klein |

## Provincial Institutions

Alberta Advanced Education divides public entities receiving funding into five groups in the ministry's annual report.
| Comprehensive Academic Research Universities | Undergraduate Universities | Polytechnic Institutions | Comprehensive Community Colleges | Specialized Arts and Culture Institutions |
| Athabasca University University of Alberta University of Calgary University of Lethbridge | Alberta University of the Arts MacEwan University Mount Royal University | Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Southern Alberta Institute of Technology | Bow Valley College Northwestern Polytechnic Keyano College Lakeland College Lethbridge College Medicine Hat College NorQuest College Northern Lakes College Olds College Portage College Red Deer College | Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity |
In addition, some independent institutions in the province receive funding from Alberta Advanced Education; these include Ambrose University, Burman University, Concordia University of Edmonton, St. Mary's University College, and The King's University College