The network of the Université du Québec was established to promote access to post-secondary education regardless of geographic barriers. Several years ago, a federal government statistician showed that regional populations tend not to pursue post-secondary education when the closest university is located 70 kilometres away.
Consequently, lower levels of education are observed in certain regions. We also know that, far more so than family income, one of the determinants of enrolment in institutions of higher learning is "educational capital", whether or not the parents attended a college or university.
For example, nearly 60% of students at some of our institutions are what are called "first-generation students".
The fact that full-fledged universities conduct research and training in various regions of Quebec really helps to recruit talented people where they live. We know that young people tend to underestimate their worth, and the proximity of institutions of higher learning can encourage them to take advantage of them.