Cégep à distance turns 35: Higher education your way since 1991!
Montréal, April 1, 2026 – Cégep de Rosemont is proud to be celebrating the 35th birthday of Cégep à distance, founded in 1991 under a national mandate tasking the Québec government to develop and offer self-paced, asynchronous college-level distance education.
“From correspondence courses in 1991 to online education today, Cégep à distance has always managed to adapt to the times and prove its relevance in supporting the graduation of both adults and students from the public and private college network. It’s no coincidence that the number of students and course registrations has been climbing steadily for years, with over 22,000 students and nearly 40,000 courses taken projected for this year: it’s because Cégep à distance enables people to achieve their study goals.”
– Caroline Roy, Director General
“As all our courses and evaluations—French and English alike—are done online, we are currently working to adapt our practices to address the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). By defining and implementing mechanisms to govern its use, we can ensure that Cégep à distance continues to be a first-choice option for students who are looking for flexibility in their educational journey and want to study at their own pace.”
– Carole Gaudin, Director, Cégep à distance, Continuing Education and Édago Corporate & Customized Training
To mark this milestone, Cégep à distance will have a booth at the Association québécoise de pédagogie collégiale (AQPC) symposium this June 3 to 5 in Drummondville, and Cégep de Rosemont will host the 2026 Grand rassemblement du Réseau d’enseignement francophone à distance du Canada (REFAD) next October 26 to 28. Two great events you will not want to miss!
Cégep de Rosemont staff celebrated the 35th birthday of Cégep à distance on March 31.
From left to right: Violaine Page, Assistant Director, Pedagogical Engineering and Innovation; Carole Gaudin, Director, Cégep à distance, Continuing Education and Édago Corporate & Customized Training; Caroline Roy, Director General; Marie-Claude Boutet, Academic Dean; Maëlle Beauchemin-Coulombe, Coordinator – Educational Planning and Organization
Cégep de Rosemont
Renowned as a warm, inclusive environment, Cégep de Rosemont educates youth and adults through regular study programs, continuing education programs and Cégep à distance, giving them the chance to develop their skills, pursue a university education or join the workforce as fulfilled, responsible and engaged citizens. Cégep de Rosemont stands out for its national mandate concerning Cégep à distance, the achievements of CÉRSÉ and its research in regular education and Cégep à distance.
Cégep à distance
Founded in 1991 by Cégep de Rosemont, Cégep à distance offers programs and pathways that lead to a Diploma of College Studies (DCS/DEC) or the achievement of various objectives, such as a successful return to college, passing the French Exit Exam or gaining admission to a university program. Thanks to its rolling registration model, it welcomes over 22,000 students every year.