Source: Daily Hive Vancouver
Indian enrolment in undergraduate programs at the Vancouver campus increased from 200 students in 2013/14 to 726 students in 2017/18.
British Columbia
IC-IMPACTS Summer Institute
June 3 – 8, 2017
The third annual IC-IMPACTS Summer Institute will be a week long program. This year, the program will be held in Vancouver and Cranbrook in the southeastern region of British Columbia.
High School for International Students at UNBC a Possibility
Source: Prince George Citizen via Academica
The University of Northern British Columbia is considering establishing an international high school on its campus. The Prince George Citizen reports that if the institution goes forward with the plan, a school with capacity for 50 to 100 high school students could be piloted as soon as September 2018. The long-term intention would be to prepare students for postsecondary education in Canada. “They’ll be more at home, they’ll be more familiar with the place, so the transition to the university would be better,” explained UNBC Provost Dan Ryan, who added that increasing the university’s international student population would help Canadian students gain a global perspective.
BC Should Look to India for International Students
Source: The Province via Academica
PSE institutions in British Columbia would be wise to “cultivate new markets” for international student enrolment and avoid becoming overly dependent on China, according to a US-based analyst. Rahul Choudaha tells The Province that despite a recent jump in the number of Chinese international students coming to BC, this growth—and the overall growth in international student numbers—is slowing. However, India stands out as an exception to this slowdown, says Choudaha, who notes that enrolments from India grew 25% last year, outpacing the growth rate of Chinese enrolments. “Given the scale and the growth potential of India as a source of international students, Canadian institutions have an untapped potential in recruiting Indian students at the bachelor’s level,” the analyst concludes.
Applications to Canadian Unis Spike in Wake of Trump
Source: Associated Press via Academica
The surge in website traffic and enrolment inquiries that occurred at Canadian universities following the election of Donald Trump in November 2016 is now translating into applications. Applications to the University of Toronto from American students have reportedly jumped 70% compared to this time last year, while several other Canadian schools have seen increases of 20% or more. US applications to McMaster University are up 34% since this time last year. Officials at some US colleges tell the AP that the election will undoubtedly affect their international enrolment patterns. “I think everybody in international education is a little uneasy, in part because some of the rhetoric in the campaign frightened people overseas,” said Stephen Dunnett, vice provost for international education at the University at Buffalo. “It’s going to be perhaps a little bit rocky for a couple of years.
New $4M Canada-India Initiative Looks to Jumpstart New Tech
Source: The Vancouver Sun
IC-IMPACTS, headed by UBC professor Nemy Banthia, is teaming up with India’s Department of Science and Technology, as well as the country’s Biotechnology Department, to provide $4 million for the research projects. Each project, said IC-IMPACTS communications manager Ashish Mohan, features Canadian and Indian researchers and are in later stages of development, ensuring the resulting technology can be brought to market.
For the complete article, visit The Vancouver Sun.
SFU to Host Visiting Indian Scholars with $500K Donation
Source: Simon Fraser University via Academica
[CIEC Academic Member] Simon Fraser University has received a $500K gift to provide students the opportunity to learn from world-class Indian scholars. Provided by Hari and Madhu Varshney, the gift will fund the Hari and Madhu Varshney Visiting Scholars Program in Indian Studies, which will help leading Indian academics come to SFU to share their knowledge and insights. “This wonderful gift will strengthen SFU’s commitment to engage the world,” says SFU president Andrew Petter. “Thanks to the Varshneys’ generosity, these scholars will enrich our educational and research environment, while deepening understanding of India’s rich culture and heritage amongst the communities we serve.”
“Big Investment” Coming for BC Postsecondary Tech Training
Source: The Globe & Mail via Academica
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark has announced that her government will soon make “big investments” in the province’s postsecondary system to address a talent shortage in the tech sector. “There will be some announcements coming in the next little while with respect to investing in computer science in particular in universities … it will be a significant amount,” Clark added in an interview with the Globe and Mail. In July 2016, 18 BC tech executives sent a letter to Clark asking for the province to address the talent shortage. Clark did not specify, however, whether the final amount invested in PSE tech training would match the $100M requested by the executives.
The Business of Education Dinner
Our Canada West Chapter’s signature event takes place on Sept. 30 in Vancouver, BC at the Fairmont Waterfront hotel.
SFU Diwali Gala
Business of Education 2016: Call for Proposals
In keeping with past CIEC events which have tended to attract thought leaders from leading Colleges and Universities, we invite you to participate and add to the ongoing dialogue between academics of both countries. In order to expand this ‘dynamic and burgeoning’ corridor, we need to constantly share ideas on new initiatives and best practices. Sessions are intended to encourage frank and candid discussion and allow sharing of experiences and an understanding on what works (and what doesn’t) via a medium of workshops, presentations and panel discussions in a multitude areas.
Attendees at previous CIEC conferences have tended to be senior level administrators and academics from both countries and your presentation should take that into consideration. You can make a safe assumption that they have a basic knowledge of and | or are already involved in the ‘Canada-India education corridor’. This session could be a great opportunity to highlight / showcase your academic programs and/or get feedback from your peers in the audience.
Finally, please indicate the length of your presentation/workshop (20 or 30 minutes each) and specify if you require AV and/or other technical equipment. A laptop, projector & screen will be made available.
Potential Criteria for Choosing Presentations:- Clearly outline the context for the presentation, the target audience it wishes to address and should have a direct relevance to current issues relating to the theme/title of your presentation.
- Presentation should have a good mix of obvious practical applications and identify whether it is suitable for newcomersor geared toward experienced professionals.
- Present a clear argument & articulate your position (for or against & have moderator sum up the ‘round table’).
Please send us a 50 word (mini) session description to [email protected] by May 31, 2016 along with your session title and names of co-presenters (if any) and we will follow up/notify you if we have questions. All (co) presenters and panelists will receive discounted registration fee at the member rate.
Look back at Business of Education 2014 & view the Event Agenda…
Nonstop Delhi-Vancouver Flights to Start This Year
Source: The PIE News
Educators in British Columbia predict a new Air Canada flight between Delhi and Vancouver starting this autumn will benefit academic partnerships and hope it will entice more Indian students to the province.
To view the full article, please visit The PIE News.
International Students Bring Many Benefits, says BC Minister
Source: Vancouver Sun via Academica
Students who travel to Canada to get a world-class education “also bring a wide range of short- and long-term social, cultural and economic benefits,” writes BC Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson. The article describes some of the very first international students who came to BC at the beginning of the 20th century, before discussing the benefits that today’s international students bring to Canada. Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of international students, says Wilkinson, is that they pay the full cost of PSE tuition and thus subsidize not only higher education, but K-12 programming for domestic students. Further, international students who stay in Canada after graduation have been shown to fulfill an important role in closing the country’s skills gap. For these reasons and more, Wilkinson concludes, “the benefits add up and are irrefutable whichever way you study the equation.”
Emerging Business Opportunities with India
March 15, 2016 – India is emerging. Set to be the most populous country by 2025, India presents a generational businesses opportunity. From R&D, to infrastructure development, and IT, the world’s largest democracy is growing at a rapid pace.
BCCIE Summer Seminar 2016
Registration is now open for the largest International Education conference in Western Canada! We invite you to join us this year as we return to Victoria, BC. Register before April 5, 2016 to receive the early bird rate.
Alexander College
Alexander College is a private post-secondary institution serving approximately 2,000 students each year. Established in 2006 under the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education, Alexander College consists of two urban campuses located in Burnaby and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Alexander College is recognized and accredited by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Degree Quality Assurance Board (DQAB), BC Education Quality Assurance (EQA) program, and is a proud participant in the BC Transfer System, organized by the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT).
Alexander College first offered University Transfer and English for Academic Purposes programs. These programs are designed to help first and second year undergraduates to achieve success in their transition to the post-secondary environment through strong student support and services. In 2006 Alexander College was approved to offer the Associate of Arts degree, followed by the Associate of Science degree in 2011.
COTR Recognized for Best International Student Experience for Third Consecutive Year
The International Graduate Insight Group has recognized the College of the Rockies [CIEC Member] as the best institution in the world for overall international student satisfaction. This is the third consecutive year COTR has been named the top school in Canada in this regard and the second consecutive year it has received the title for best in the world. The designation draws upon the Graduate Insight Group’s International Student Barometer, the largest annual survey of international students in the world, covering the four categories of student arrival experience, learning, living, and support. Among the 183 institutions from 18 countries rated, COTR ranked first in all four categories.
BC Universities Show Fastest Growth in Federal Research Funding
Source: Vancouver Sun via Academica
BC’s research universities have experienced the fastest growth rate in federal research funding, according to the Research Universities Council of British Columbia (RUCBC). RUCBC’s figures show that in 2012–13, BC universities attracted more than $700 M in research funding from outside the province and increased their per capita share of federal research grants by 148%, which is almost double the Canadian average. RUCBC Chair and [CIEC Member] Simon Fraser University President Andrew Petter said, “the fact that we’re seeing this level of growth and the fact that we are outperforming other jurisdictions I think is evidence that we’ve done a good job of hiring the best and the brightest.”
Langara’s School of Nursing Accredited for Seven Years
Source: Langara News via Academica
[CIEC Academic Member] Langara College’s School of Nursing has been awarded a seven-year accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), the maximum length that can be awarded to an institution. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing was approved by the province in October 2013, but has pursued voluntary accreditation in order to provide its graduates a “smoother path” to further education. “This is a wonderful and remarkable achievement as few nursing programs achieve seven-year accreditation status in their inaugural application to CASN,” said Provost Brad O’Hara. “Their vision, many years of planning, and hard work have yielded an enviable result of which we all can be proud.”
BC Announces $6M in Funding for Technology Skills Development
Source: BC News Release via Academica
British Columbia announced $6M in funding, to be provided through the BC Innovation Council (BCIC), in support of technology skills development. The BCIC Innovator Skills Initiative and the BC Tech Co-Op Grants Program will provide students with opportunities to enhance their skills and explore new career opportunities at small- and medium-sized technology firms, while connecting employers to a supply of talented workers. BC Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Shirley Bond said, “this new funding will continue to help drive this development by training entrepreneurs today and generating desirable jobs for highly skilled, creative, and educated British Columbians for the future.”
BC Provides Funding to Support Students with Disabilities
Source: BC News Release via Academica
British Columbia will provide $1.2 M in funding to PSE institutions to support training for students with disabilities. The funding will be allocated to 20 institutions to develop training and resources for programs that align with the province’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. Among the recipients will be [CIEC Academic Members] Langara College, for its Centre for Accessible Post-Secondary Education Resources (CAPER-BC), and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, for the Post-Secondary Communication Access Service (PCAS), which supports students with visual impairment or hearing loss. These facilities support public PSE institutions throughout the province. Additionally, BC will provide $9 M over three years for the Technology@Work program, which provides assistive technologies.
BCIT Granted Exempt Status After Degree Quality Assessment Board Review
British Columbia’s Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson has approved the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s application for exempt status for new undergraduate programs. The approval follows a thorough review by BC’s Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB). For BCIT [CIEC Member], the approval represents full recognition of the quality of its degree programs, and means there will be a more efficient process for degree approval in the future. BCIT’s Acting VP Academic Bill Dow said, “we will take full advantage of this status and we will ensure that we add programs that will further our students’ knowledge and give them the tools to succeed in their desired careers long after they leave BCIT.”
Victoria Launches Initiative to Recruit International Students
Source: Times-Colonist via Academica
The Greater Victoria Development Agency (GVDA) has launched a new campaign to help attract international students to Vancouver Island. The initiative, called Education Victoria, has been created in partnership with Camosun College, Royal Roads University, the University of Victoria, and Tourism Victoria. GVDA’s Dallas Gislason said that attracting international students as potential residents will be key in a region that is expecting to face a labour shortage over the next 10 years, and added that international students can provide a significant boost to the economy. Moreover, Gislason said, international students offer “diverse perspectives … which deepen the learning experience for all students.”
Canada Invests Nearly $250M in International Observatory Project
Source: UBC News Release via Academica
Canada is investing close to $250 M to help build what will be reportedly be the world’s most powerful optical telescope. Canada will contribute $243.5 M to the Thirty Meter Telescope project, to be located on the summit of Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii. Canada joins partners from Japan, India, China, and the United States in backing the initiative. Much of Canada’s funding will support the construction of the telescope’s enclosure and optical instruments, features that were designed by Canadian engineers and that will be fabricated in British Columbia. Construction of the observatory, which had been delayed pending the Canadian government’s decision, can now begin in earnest. Researchers across the country applauded the announcement. “[It’s] an amazing day for Canada,” said Ray Calberg, an astronomer at the University of Toronto. Paul Davidson, President of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), said in statement that “this timely investment gives certainty to Canada’s role in this globally important project.” The 22-storey-tall observatory is expected to be operational in 2023.
BCCIE Summer Seminar 2015
Join the British Columbia Council for International Education from June 21 – 24, 2015 in beautiful Whistler, BC. Summer Seminar provides an essential platform for the growth of BC’s International Education sector. BCCIE’s annual conference brings together over 300 participants from our province, across Canada and beyond our borders.
Save $100 when you register for Summer Seminar by April 10. The Early Bird Full Registration allows access to conference activities from June 21–24, including the Opening Reception on Sunday, June 21 and Final Awards Banquet on Tuesday, June 23.
Click here for more details about the event or to register now.
COTR Launches New Strategic Plan
Source: COTR News Release via Academica
Cranbrook, British Columbia’s College of the Rockies [CIEC Academic Member] has unveiled its new 5-year strategic plan. Entitled Our Road Map to New Heights, the plan introduces a new mission statement—”to transform lives and enrich communities through the power of education”—and a new vision: “to create and deliver the most personal student experience in Canada.” The plan names 4 overarching priorities for the college. These include increasing capacity, improving strategic processes, ensuring financial health, and improving student outcomes. The plan also lays out objectives and desired results for each of these areas. According to the document, COTR will seek to recruit and retain more students and prepare them for the job market or for the next stage on their educational journey. Moreover, the college will work to maximize its resource allocation and increase its revenue from diversified sources. COTR will also focus on improving student access to services such as academic advising and tutoring; short-term medical and mental health support; and social, recreational, and sporting activities. Applied research, demand-driven programs, and program quality will be points of emphasis, as well.
UBC Program Offers Path for Internationally Trained Midwives to Work in BC
Source: BC News Release via Academica | January 16, 2015
A new program at UBC will pave the way for internationally trained midwives to be granted licenses to work in British Columbia. The program, which will complement UBC’s existing 4-year midwifery undergraduate degree program, will launch as a pilot with 4 students this spring, with plans to accept 8 first-year students by January 2016. The program will be tailored for each student in order to recognize individuals’ diverse experience and training. After completing the program, students will be eligible to sit the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination to apply for licensure from the College of Midwives of BC. BC will provide $680,000 in support of the program. “This program, combined with the doubling of enrolment in our 4-year bachelor’s program, will help UBC fill the province’s growing need for qualified midwives by providing an additional pathway to licensure,” said Michelle Butler, Director of UBC’s midwifery program. She also noted that the program will help diversify the profession to reflect BC’s immigrant and second-generation communities.
BC Releases Labour Market Forecast for Next 7 Years
Source: BC News Release via Academica | January 7, 2015
British Columbia’s government has released a new report that predicts that there will be nearly 1 M job openings between now and 2022. Two-thirds of those openings are expected to be due to the retirement of baby boomers, with the remaining third attributed to economic growth. Four-fifths of the positions will require some form of PSE, and 44% of the jobs will be in skilled trades and technical occupations. The province also suggests that liquid natural gas development could add an additional 100,000 openings to the forecasted figure. The 3 occupation groups with the most expected openings over the next 7 years are projected to be sales and service occupations; business, finance, and administration occupations; and trades, transport, and equipment operators and related occupations. Most openings will occur in the Lower Mainland, while the Northeast, the North Coast and Nechako, and the Lower Mainland/Southwest regions are expected to see growth in demand for workers at rates above the provincial average of 1.2%.
B.C. Premier Christy Clark in India
Source: CONNECT: Canada In India | November 10, 2014
The Premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia, Christy Clark, led a trade mission to India, from October 9 to 18, joined by British Columbia’s Minister of Advanced Education Amrik Virk, and trade and education delegates.
In addition to meeting the Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, Premier Clark met with key government officials and business leaders in Chandigarh, New Delhi, and Mumbai to further strengthen trade and bilateral ties with India. Minister Virk also traveled to Bengaluru to raise awareness of the great potential for secondary and post-secondary education partnerships, joint research initiatives, and student exchange.
The trade mission focused on a number of key areas including education, natural gas, clean technology, life sciences, film, digital arts and finance.
BC Awards $42.6 M in Research Funding to 6 Institutions
Source: BC News Release via Academica | Nov 4, 2014
British Columbia has awarded $42.6 M in research infrastructure funding to 6 PSE institutions in the province, to be distributed through the BC Knowledge Development Fund. The funds will support 100 research projects in BC, especially in the priority research areas of life sciences, technology, clean technology, and natural resources. “Our government invests in innovation to grow and diversify our economy. Development of research and innovation into commercial opportunities leads to the jobs and investments that make the technology sector a major contributor to the provincial economy,” said BC Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Andrew Wilkinson. Simon Fraser University [CIEC Academic Member] will receive $12.6 M in funding to support projects ranging from chronic pain to solar energy, while UBC will receive $26.9 M for 70 research projects, including an initiative to map the universe and a project on personalizing cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Langara Releases Its First-ever Academic Plan
Source: Langara News Release via Academica | Sept. 29, 2014
Langara College [CIEC Academic Member] has released its first Academic Plan, identifying priority areas to guide Langara’s growth and development through 2019. The 5 priority areas are Learning and Teaching; Student Support; Aboriginal Initiatives; International Initiatives; and Environmental, Financial, and Social Sustainability. The Plan is based on 18 months of consultations with faculty, staff, students, and external advisors, and is meant to be a living document that will be reviewed and adjusted on an annual basis. Each of the priorities will be executed by an Academic Plan Action Group and will rely on active support and participation from the Langara community. “The Academic Plan identifies who we are as an institution, what we believe in, where we are going, and how we are going to get there. It builds on what we are doing well, identifies where we can grow, and is designed to be adapted in response to new opportunities and challenges,” reads a statement by Provost and VP Academic and Students Brad O’Hara.
UBC Releases Details of Flexible Learning Strategy
Source: University of British Columbia Update via Academica | September 17, 2014
UBC has published its flexible learning strategy. The strategy document identifies a series of trends that have informed its creation. These include changing expectations of students and employers, demographic shifts such as the increasing proportion of older and international students, government policies that have increased universities’ reliance on tuition revenue, and an increased emphasis on the measured value of university programs. The strategy suggests that these trends are reinforced by the development of disruptive technologies including massive open online courses (MOOCs), automated assessments and adaptive learning, and increased transparency. To respond to these changes, the strategy prioritizes 3 key areas. First, UBC plans to improve its learning technology ecosystem, based on feedback from faculty and staff. Second, UBC aims to support new personal, professional, and career development programs through the creation of a new unit in the Provost’s office. This role will support the university’s faculties with development, marketing, planning, and budgeting for innovative new credit programs. The third priority area identified by UBC is its membership in edX as a contributing charter member.
CapilanoU Releases First Academic Plan
Source: CapilanoU News Release via Academica | Sept 8, 2014
Capilano University [CIEC Academic Member] has released its first Academic Plan, highlighting the strengths of the university and opportunities to excel. The Academic Plan will serve as a starting point for the 2015-18 Strategic Plan, to be developed in the coming months. The document outlines potential pathways for institutional renewal and represents the “collective will of our community to embrace change and participate in growth.” The Academic Plan consists of sections detailing CapilanoU’s vision for academic principles, academic programming, academic support, and moving forward, with an appendix that addresses possibilities for the upcoming Strategic Plan. “The Academic Plan is the first step in reimagining Cap’s future. The strategic planning process that follows will continue to be collaborative and lead to the collective transformation of learning, teaching, and academic work at Capilano University,” stated Rick Gale, CapilanoU VP Academic and Provost.
International Student Enrolment in BC Grows
Source: BC News Release via Academica | June 6, 2014
A record number of international students enrolled at British Columbia PSE institutions in 2012–13, according to new figures. The province saw a 20% increase in international students, growing from 94,000 in 2009–10 to 112,800 in 2012–13. The increase was largely driven by applicants from India and China, whose numbers increased by 188% and 68%, respectively, over the 3-year period. The influx of international students has also benefited the BC economy. The new figures say that international students spent approximately $2.3 billion in BC on tuition, accommodation, and other living expenses, as well as on arts, culture, and recreation. This figure marks a 28% increase from 2009–10. International students’ dollars helped support 25,500 jobs. BC hopes to increase the number of international students coming to the province by 50% by 2016, in accordance with the federal International Education Strategy.
TCS Insights: Students from India are making an impact as they choose to study abroad in Canada. The impact on the economy of British Columbia has been clear and the province is looking to further this trend in the coming years.
The ‘Business of Education’ Dinner in Vancouver, BC
Post-Event Report
Friday, June 6, 2014, Vancouver, BC | Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
CIEC’s Canada West Chapter’s must-attend, landmark event featured a “who’s who” of education including illustrious speakers such as Hon. Minister Amrik Virk, BC Minister of Advanced Education, Hon. Minister Peter Fassbender, BC Minister of Education, Hon. Deepak Obhrai, MP & Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 5 University Presidents…and over 200 participants.
To view photos of the event, please visit Event Photos.
To view testimonials of Hon. Jason Kenney, PC, MP Minister of Employment and Social Development & Minister for Multiculturalism as well as Christy Clark, Premier, British Columbia, please visit Testimonials.
Event participants:
- Exchanged ideas via a focused networking event
- Learned about BC’s new Education Quality Assurance (EQA) standards
- Explored opportunities and build a collaborative approach. Share experiences and avoid potential pitfalls
- Highlighted your initiatives to peers and receive effective marketing tips and benefit from existing synergies
- Examined the confluence of ‘business’ with education. How do we measure our ‘ROI’ ? (Scroll down for Event Agenda)
Learn about Sponsorship Benefits
View Speaker Profiles
View Event Photos
Event Agenda
BC Gives PSE Institutions Another $6.7 million for ESL Programs
Source: BC News Release via Academica | April 2, 2014
The BC government has announced another $6.7 million in funding for English as a second language (ESL) programs at 9 PSE institutions, to make it easier for the colleges and universities to wind down their programs following cancelled federal funding. Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk explains that Immigration Canada had decided to award contracts directly to non-profit agencies and a limited number of PSE institutions, rather than funnel money through the provincial government to colleges and universities. The ministry is still waiting for further details about the federal ESL program, and what agencies or institutions will receive contracts to deliver the training. The 9 institutions that will receive the additional funding include British Columbia Institute of Technology, Camosun College, Capilano University, Douglas College, University of the Fraser Valley, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langara College, Okanagan College, and Vancouver Community College.
TCS Insights: With details from the Canadian federal government regarding their ESL program still unclear, British Columbia has displayed leadership by funding ESL programs within the province. Students who did not grow up speaking English will be better afforded the opportunity to succeed as they pursue an education in BC as a result of this funding.
CIEC Presents… The ‘Business of Education’ Dinner in Vancouver, BC
On June 6, CIEC will host a landmark dinner event in Vancouver, BC at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. CIEC’s Canada West Chapter’s must-attend event will feature a “who’s who” of education including illustrious speakers such as:
- Hon. Minister Amrik Virk, BC Minister of Advanced Education
- Hon. Minister Peter Fassbender, BC Minister of Education
- Hon. Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors
- Devinder Shory, MP Calgary Northeast
- Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew, PC, Chair, Canada India Education Council
- Prof. Niloufer Adil, CIEC’s Academic Advisor & Past Secretary-India’s University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Dr. Alan Davis, President-Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Dr. Robert Kuhn, President & Chancellor, Trinity Western University
- Prof. Andrew Petter, President- Simon Fraser University
- Dr. Lane Trotter, President & CEO, Langara College
Learn about BC’s new education quality assurance standards (EQA) and examine the confluence of ‘business’ with education. How do we measure ‘ROI’? BC is committed to increasing international students by 50% by 2016.
Register or view Agenda / Speaker Profiles / Sponsorship Options
69% of 2005 bachelor’s entrants completed PSE credential in BC by 2011
Source: Government of British Columbia | December 2013
A new study of 12,508 students who entered BC bachelor’s programs in fall 2005 reveals that 69% of students completed a credential of some kind by fall 2011, and that 93% achieved the credential they initially entered – a bachelor’s degree. The Student Transitions Project also showed that 23% of these students were still registered in a PSE institution in BC in 2011. These students who are still attending PSE are, on average, more mobile among BC institutions than those students who completed a credential within 6 years, or those who didn’t continue studying at a BC institution. The study is produced by a partnership between BC’s education and advanced education ministries and public PSE institutions.
TCS Insights: Undergrad students in British Columbia who began completing their degrees in 2005 were found to have completed their studies by 2011, with 93% of them acquiring the Bachelor’s degree they originally set out to achieve. Institutions in the province have displayed their dedication to providing as many of their students with a valuable educational experience as possible.
BC Introduces International Student Regulations to Comply with Federal Plan
Source: BC News Release | February 6, 2014
The British Columbia government has announced new requirements that require PSE institutions accepting international students in study programs of longer than 6 months to have BC’s Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation. A BC news release says the requirement will be phased in over the next 18 months to give institutions time to acquire the designation, which will entail “establishing quality assurance standards—including having a transparent tuition refund policy.” The regulations are in response to the federal government’s new program within the International Education Strategy, which requires all provinces and territories to develop a list of PSE institutions eligible to host international students for study programs of longer than 6 months.
TCS Insights: BC aims to assure students coming to Canada from abroad that their educational facilities are of high quality by forcing them to earn this designation. Institutions will have to meet various standards in areas such as programs and tuition refund policy so international students will be better informed when choosing where to study.
BC Contributes $4.5 million to Heavy-Duty Transportation Training Centre
Source: BCIT News Release | February 3, 2014
The British Columbia government is providing $4.5 million to allow the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Vancouver Community College (VCC) to create a new Motive Power Centre, which will house heavy-duty transportation programs from both institutions. BCIT says the new centre will create partnership opportunities for BCIT, VCC and prospective employers, while also providing the physical space to allow industry to participate in the centre. “Around 43% of the one million jobs expected to open by 2020 will require trades or technical training,” says BC Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk. “Co-locating two existing heavy-duty transportation programs into one centre will benefit students, industry and employers.” The 142,000-square-foot facility is set to open to students in September 2014.
TCS Insights: Through the creation of the Motive Power Centre, the province of BC is preparing both domestic and international students for the heavy-duty jobs in the transportation industry that are expected to arise in the near future.
WesternU Releases New Strategic Plan
Source: WesternU News Release | January 31, 2014
Western University [CIEC Academic Member] has released its new strategic plan, Achieving Excellence on the World Stage, which was approved by the university board of governors and senate. The plan includes 4 strategic priorities: creating a world-class research and scholarship culture; providing Canada’s best education for “tomorrow’s global leaders;” engaging alumni, community, institutional and international partners; and generating and investing new resources in support of excellence. The plan also focuses on raising WesternU’s profile “among globally pre-eminent universities.” High-level targets in this area include increasing international undergraduate student enrolment to at least 15% and domestic out-of-province student enrolment to at least 10% of the undergraduate student body, and doubling the number of academic departments, schools and faculties that rank among the world’s top 100 universities in major international surveys.
TCS Insights: Western University has begun the process of improving their standing on the global stage with the introduction of their plans for the future. While aiming to collaborate with more international partners and establish a globally recognized research environment, Western will look to recruit students from around the world as well. This represents an opportunity for students from outside of Canada who are looking to be a part of an institution on the rise.
SFU Joins Ryerson and Bombay Stock Exchange Incubator Partnership
Source: SFU News Release | January 22, 2014
Simon Fraser University (CIEC Academic Member) has joined the entrepreneurial incubator initiative established last year by Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone and the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute. The BSEI–Ryerson–SFU Accelerator Program India is a 5-year agreement that allows for collaboration in several areas, including “accelerating the development and commercialization of innovative research and new technologies in India and Canada and providing opportunities for entrepreneurship education, training and development.” Through the agreement, start-ups will gain financial support and mentorship opportunities and students will be able to take advantage of internships and co-op positions. “We are excited to partner in this ground-breaking initiative which will benefit young entrepreneurs and their innovations in both Canada and India,” said SFU President Andrew Petter.
TCS Insights: By working together with the BSEI and Ryerson University, SFU joins a group with the goal of making research faster to do and easier to distribute. With different positions available to students, this group will allow students on opposite sides of the world to expand their minds through work, while providing mentoring and financial backing.
BC Touts Open Textbooks’ Early Success
Source: BC News Release via Academica | January 10, 2014
The British Columbia government says its open textbook project has benefited almost 300 PSE students, who saved an average of $146 each on textbook costs for the fall 2013 semester. The project, which launched in September, offers students free, online, open textbooks for 40 of the most popular subject areas. “…The benefits for students and faculty will continue to grow as we develop open textbooks for more subjects, and more instructors around the province have a chance to review and use them in their classes,” says BC’s Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk. This expansion includes 20 open textbooks for skills training and technical PSE subject areas.
TCS Insights: By making online textbooks more accessible to students, the government of British Columbia is attempting to make a post-secondary education a possibility for all students. It is this attitude towards higher learning that makes BC a learning destination for students from Canada and across the world.
Kwantlen Opens BC’s First Teaching Brewery
Source: KPU News Release via Academica | January 9, 2014
Kwantlen Polytechnic University [CIEC Member] has opened a teaching brewery at its Langley campus to offer British Columbia’s first science of brewing program. “Along with practical hands-on training, we’ll be giving students a solid background in the science behind brewing craft beer, including the chemistry and microbiology involved in the process,” says KPU Science and Horticulture Dean Elizabeth Worobec. “It’s this much-needed expertise that graduates will bring to the province’s brewing industry.” The program’s first 35 students will start in September. According to the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, the province’s micro-brewing industry has grown by more than 20% per year since 2006.
TCS Insights: KPU is proving to be a leader as serve the first brewery program. By providing students with the proper scientific background along with training, the institution will be beneficial to the province of British Columbia while helping students find jobs in an emerging industry.
SFU President’s Trip to India Sparks Entrepreneurship, Clean Energy Partnerships
Source: Simon Fraser University Media Release
Contact: Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.9017/604.209.5770; [email protected]
Simon Fraser University (CIEC Academic Member) President Andrew Petter recently visited India to advance relationships and forge new partnerships with academia, industry and government, resulting in collaborations with the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute, Indian Oil Corporation and IIT Bombay.
SFU has joined with Ryerson University to develop a groundbreaking incubator and associated accelerator program in India in collaboration with the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute (BSEI).
The BSEI-Ryerson Digital Media Zone was established in July 2013 and this week SFU signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Ryerson and BSEI to collaborate on its further development.
The incubator will enable entrepreneurs to fast track their startups and connect with mentors, customers and investors. It lays the groundwork to help young entrepreneurs expand in both the Indian and Canadian markets and provides support and resources for entrepreneurship and professional development education.
The BSEI–Ryerson–SFU Accelerator Program India, a five-year agreement between Ryerson, Ryerson Futures Inc., SFU and SF Univentures calls for collaboration on a number of fronts, including accelerating the development and commercialization of innovative research and new technologies in India and Canada and providing opportunities for entrepreneurship education, training and development.
The partnership is an example of how SFU is advancing its activities in India with university and industry partners, says SFU President Andrew Petter, who was in India Jan. 18-24 with SFU V-P Research Mario Pinto and V-P External Relations Philip Steenkamp.
“We are excited to partner in this ground-breaking initiative which will benefit young entrepreneurs and their innovations in both Canada and India,” said Petter. “Supporting student entrepreneurship is an important part of our commitment to being Canada’s ’engaged university.’ This unique partnership with the BSEI and Ryerson University will help us extend that commitment both nationally and internationally.”
“Ryerson looks forward to working with Simon Fraser University and continuing to generate opportunities for young Indian and Canadian entrepreneurs,” said Mohamed Lachemi, Provost and Vice President Academic of Ryerson. “We are bringing a successful model to India, and with this collaboration with Simon Fraser University, we can provide even more resources to fast track innovative research and help train and develop the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
SFU’s involvement will also spawn new global opportunities for SF Univentures Corporation and other initiatives, through the support of student mobility initiatives and program delivery as well as accelerator and angel funding projects, adds SFU V-P Research Mario Pinto.
“The signing of this LOI exemplifies SFU’s innovation strategy, in which community partners are engaged with our students and faculty entrepreneurs at the outset, to provide an informed view of the requirements of the real world,” said Pinto.
B.C. Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk said: “Partnerships between industry, employers and post-secondary institutions are important in today’s global marketplace. Strengthening ties between British Columbia and India with this agreement supports skills and competencies in entrepreneurship that are critical for social and economic success.”
SFU has developed a wide range of student incubation and innovation programs that encourage and support its student entrepreneurs. Its Venture Connection program, in partnership with Coast Capital Savings, is one of the first university early-stage incubator programs in B.C. The program offers SFU students and recent alumni support for their ventures through an early-stage business incubator, mentorship, co-op and other avenues and since 2008 has engaged over 3,100 students, contributing to more than 120 early-stage startups.
Among additional sources of support for the program are Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), the BC Innovation Council, the Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), Discovery Foundation and the John Dobson Foundation.
With a suite of existing and new entrepreneurial programs, including the Beedie School of Business RADIUS Social Innovation Lab, SFU is positioned to substantially contribute to the program.
Meanwhile, SFU and India’s flagship national oil company, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Ltd, have laid the groundwork to collaborate on hydrogen and fuel cell technology research.
SFU President Petter signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) with IOC’s Director of Research and Development, Dr. R.K. Malhotra in New Delhi, with B.C. government representatives in attendance.
“SFU researchers have much to contribute and gain through this relationship,” said Petter. “SFU is internationally recognized for its expertise in fuel cell technology. Collaborating on research with IOC will provide greater opportunities for our faculty members and students to advance the field globally.”
Dr. Malhotra said: “Indian Oil recognizes and values the global lead role which British Columbia is taking in the fuel cell developments and its commercialization. The collaboration with Simon Fraser University would help Indian Oil to get the benefit of their expertise in hydrogen and fuel cell research. The intended collaborative research will help further the development and optimization of fuel cell technology and cut down the cost.”
The relationship developed as a result of Dr. Malhotra’s visit to B.C. last June as a keynote speaker at the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association conference. During his visit he expressed interest in developing research collaborations with B.C. focusing on hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
“We are deepening relationships in key sectors such as clean technology to increase trade and investment between British Columbia and India,” said Teresa Wat, B.C.’s Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism. “Connecting world-leading institutions such as SFU with a company such as Indian Oil will boost research and commercialization, attract new investment, and create and protect jobs for British Columbians.”
The collaboration will facilitate the sharing of expertise in hydrogen and fuel cell research and enable exchanges for SFU faculty and students to work in IOC’s world-class R&D facility, while providing IOC researchers access to SFU facilities.
It could also lead to the creation of a joint research centre in hydrogen and fuel cell technology at IOC’s Faridabad site.
The university also announced it has entered into an MOU with one of India’s premier institutions of science and engineering, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), which will foster research collaborations on clean energy projects as well as graduate student exchanges.
Simon Fraser University is consistently ranked among Canada’s top comprehensive universities and is one of the top 50 universities in the world under 50 years old. With campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, B.C., SFU engages actively with the community in its research and teaching, delivers almost 150 programs to more than 30,000 students, and has more than 125,000 alumni in 130 countries.
Simon Fraser University: Engaging Students. Engaging Research. Engaging Communities.
Research Infrastructure Receives $63-million Boost From the Government of Canada
Source: CFI News Release, Courtesy of Academica | January 8, 2014
The Canadian government has announced a $63-million boost for research infrastructure under the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund. Currently, the fund is contributing to research equipment, laboratories and tools at over 250 facilities at 37 universities across Canada. “Our government believes significant investments in Canadian research are essential to sparking innovation, creating economic prosperity and improving the lives of Canadians,” says Minister of State (Science and Technology) Greg Rickford.
TCS Insights: The CFI awarded $48.4 million through their John R. Evans Leaders Fund in order to help Canadian universities attract top available research talent. This increase in funding will enable researchers, such as Ryan D’Arcy of Simon Fraser University, make use of portable technologies at sporting events, hospitals and homes.
Canada Announces $43 Million in NSERC Grants
Source: Canada News Release, Courtesy of Academica | January 9, 2014
Canadian Minister of State (Science and Technology) Greg Rickford today announced that the most recent round of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) funding will provide $43 million to 77 research teams at universities across the country. The funding will go towards 2 grants: the Strategic Network Grants and the Strategic Project Grants. The funds will help researchers work with companies and other organizations on long-term projects to address industrial and societal challenges.
TCS Insights: The Canadian government aims to use these grants to increase research and training in areas that influence the Canadian economy and environment over the next decade. Additionally, this funding will go towards research that involves interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and institutions such as solar power and cloud-based computing projects.
Acsenda School of Management
Situated in Vancouver, Canada, Acsenda School of Management specializes in leadership and business with a distinct international focus. The school is a small, private institution with undergraduate programs, a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree program with different specialities since 2004 and, beginning in January 2015, a Bachelor of Hospitality Management Degree. Acsenda operates with its own academic governance model modelled to support a strong academic culture.
British Columbia Institute of Technology
BCIT is one of British Columbia’s most popular post-secondary institutions with nearly 50,000 students enrolled. Founded in 1964, the establishment has five main campuses along with additional satellite locations across the province. They offer degrees, diplomas and certificates in an expansive variety of programs. BCIT provides students with theory based learning while working with industry to allow students to apply their knowledge both on campus and in the field. Upon graduation, students will have the skills needed to participate in the workforce immediately.
Capilano University
Located in North Vancouver, Capilano University first opened its doors as a college in 1968 responding to the need for local education. In 2009, registration had grown from 748 to 7,500. Capilano University offers a wide range of accreditation and degrees across six areas of study: Arts & Sciences, Business & Professional Studies, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation, Health & Education, Fine & Applied Arts, and Continuing Education.