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Moridi said earlier that it was up to the colleges’ boards of governors to determine staffing and student composition on their campuses. On Thursday, Moridi said he was concerned that women were excluded.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Wynne said she understood that there was discussion about women having access when the colleges were setting up. If women don’t have access “then I think there’s another conversation that has to be had with both Niagara and Algonquin,” she said.

“My position is that if we are going to be engaged in the delivery of education in other parts of the world, then men and women must have equal access. That is, I think, a minimum that we can expect in 2016.”

In a written statement released Friday afternoon, Algonquin communications director Scott Anderson wrote that Algonquin president Cheryl Jensen has had a “positive conversation” with Moridi. The statement added that the college wanted to open a women-only college in Saudi Arabia, but failed to win the bid.

“We are seeking clarification around the premier’s comments and will have more to say on this topic when we have that clarification.”

Algonquin did not respond to repeated requests for an interview with Jensen.

In the statement, Anderson said Algonquin has been open and transparent about its work in Saudi Arabia, announcing each new step and providing regular updates to its board and to the Ontario government.

Wynne said she asked questions as soon as she found out that the campuses were men-only. But Wilson says that claim is “disingenuous.”