News

Kwantlen News

For immediate release

April 22, 2008

University Status for Kwantlen

(Surrey, B.C.) The President and Board of Governors at Kwantlen University College are pleased to announce that the government of B.C. will re-designate Kwantlen as university.

Premier Campbell's announcement today that Kwantlen University College will become Kwantlen Polytechnic University was welcomed by hundreds of jubilant students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members from around the entire South Fraser region Kwantlen serves.

This decision is the outcome of years of work by Kwantlen and many of its internal and external community members. Their work was reinforced by Geoff Plant, special advisor to the Premier and Advanced Education Minister in his final report, Campus 2020: Thinking Ahead, about the future of B.C.’s post-secondary education system. One of Plant’s recommendations was to make Kwantlen a university.

“We are all very pleased with this decision. Becoming a university means we can enhance programs that contribute to the knowledge and skills needed by our growing, increasingly diverse region,” said Kwantlen president Skip Triplett. “At Kwantlen, students get access to integrated citation, certificate, diploma and degree programs designed specifically for their and their province’s success.”

“Kwantlen's rapidly growing region requires a variety of university opportunities” added Triplett. “As a polytechnic university, Kwantlen will be better positioned to serve the fast growing segment of the population with higher education needs that are increasingly career-focused. Our community members helped us achieve university status and we will not disappoint them. We will provide even more educational options for all those with the desire and ability to learn and the willingness to work hard.”

Established in 1981 as a college, Kwantlen has grown considerably over the past 26 years and now offers 135 programs to more than 17,000 students annually, with over 1,500 employees on four large campuses in Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley. In 1995, Kwantlen gained degree granting status and today Kwantlen offers 17 bachelor's degree programs, 21 associate degree programs, and has several million dollars in annual research grants and awards. Kwantlen confers over 350 degree credentials annually, and has educated over 200,000 students to date, with 80% of those students living in the region. Kwantlen’s professional programs enjoy international accreditation. In February 2007, the Kwantlen School of Business became the latest of these when it received initial accreditation by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. Kwantlen’s School of Business is the third school in B.C. to receive such accreditation, after UBC and SFU.

“Polytechnic”, derived from the Greek and meaning ‘many arts’, describes a comprehensive program mix that encompasses theory and practice, and a research and scholarship agenda that engages students and faculty in innovation and the useful application of knowledge.

Kathleen Casprowitz, Chair of Kwantlen’s Board of Governors added, “We’re very pleased with this decision - as we have been a university in all but name for several years, and we’re pleased to see that our advocacy was taken into account, as were the opinions of our students, employees and community members.

Triplett noted that university status will bring many benefits to Kwantlen and the many communities it serves.

“As a university, our students' degrees will be more credible, and we’ll be able to recruit more students locally, nationally, and internationally,” he said. “As a university, Kwantlen will be able to attract more charitable gifts, a larger share of research funding. Our new status will also help with faculty recruitment and it will improve our graduates' access to advanced degree studies. As a university, Kwantlen will play an integral part in Metro Vancouver’s Livable Region Strategy. By granting Kwantlen university status, the Government of British Columbia has brought multiple benefits to the fastest growing region in B.C. and will help B.C. achieve long term growth and prosperity.”

Kwantlen’s incoming President, Dr. David Atkinson added, “It is a very exciting time for Kwantlen, the students and communities it serves, and its academic and support staff. I look forward to continuing the great work done by so many at Kwantlen.” Atkinson starts July 1st, when Triplett retires.

The new Kwantlen Polytechnic University will focus on the training needs of the region, and build on Kwantlen’s international reputation in key areas of specialization and excellence including: trades and technology; community health studies, which includes a unique bachelor of psychiatric nursing program; the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture; and applied design programs.

Amendments to BC’s Universities Act will provide for Kwantlen’s new status and Kwantlen will begin planning immediately to ensure a smooth transition for students. employees and the region it serves.

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If you require more information or to arrange an interview with President Triplett, contact:

Peter Chevrier
Director, Marketing & Communications

Kwantlen University
Tel: 604.599.2286
peter.chevrier@kwantlen.ca

Copyright © Kwantlen Polytechnic University