THUNDER BAY — It's a deal any university likely would have a hard time turning down, perhaps particularly at a time when enrolment by international students is falling due to the federal government cuts in study permits.

The City of Barrie has committed nearly $20 million toward the capital and operating costs of a high-tech learning facility in its downtown area to be opened by Lakehead University next fall.

"This is being funded by the City of Barrie, which is quite an innovative approach post-secondary education, so it's cost-neutral for the university and it allows us to expand the way in which we serve Simcoe County," explained Gillian Siddall, president and vice-chancellor of Lakehead.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Lakehead already has a partne

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