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VICTORIA
– Changes to the University Act
introduced today will allow the Province to create new universities that will
give students greater access to university degree programs, Advanced Education
Minister Murray Coell has announced.
“These amendments to the University Act are the next step
in fulfilling our throne speech commitment to expand B.C.’s public university
system by creating five new universities, which will promote teaching
excellence,” Coell said. “At the same time we are acting on the Campus 2020
report, which recommended the creation of regional universities.”
Government has announced three university-colleges, one
community college and a provincial institute will become special-purpose
teaching universities.
Under the proposed
legislation, the mandates for each institution will be designated, which will
include the types of programs they will offer and the region they will serve. The University of the Fraser Valley, Kwantlen
Polytechnic University, Vancouver Island University and Capilano University
will be regional universities, and will continue to offer a broad range of developmental, trade,
career, technical and academic programs leading to certificates, diplomas, and
baccalaureate and master’s degrees.
The Emily Carr University of Art and Design will serve
all of B.C., providing applied and
professional programs leading to baccalaureate and master’s degrees.
“University designation will create new opportunities for
higher learning, while allowing these institutions to market themselves more
effectively across Canada and around the world,” Coell said. “The changes will
also provide new clarity of purpose within our post-secondary system, while
recognizing the excellent reputation these institutions have earned for
providing high quality degree programs.”
As recommended in the Campus 2020 report, the designation
“university college” will be repealed. A senate will be established for each
university, with the same composition and powers as the university council of
Thompson Rivers University, which became a university in 2005. TRU’s university
council will be formally renamed as a senate.
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contact: |
Communications Manager Ministry of Advanced Education 250 952-6400 250 812-4418 (cell) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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