For immediate release

September 30, 2009

Kwantlen enrolments show dramatic increase

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) Kwantlen Polytechnic University is experiencing dramatic growth in enrolment. As of September 2009, the university is up 5-10 per cent across all program areas from the previous year. The highest increase is in its university studies, which make up over 80 per cent of its programming, topping out at nearly 11 per cent. Based on recently released figures from other B.C. post-secondary institutions, Kwantlen's enrolment increase is the highest of all schools in British Columbia. Kwantlen's annual enrolment for this academic year is tracking to be the highest in its history surpassing its previous total of 17,000 students enrolled each year.

Kwantlen's highly recognized School of Business, the second largest in Western Canada, continues to grow as more young and mature students alike seek a first degree or a new career in business. Kwantlen's arts and sciences faculties continue to add new degrees and with Kwantlen's increased involvement in applied research projects such as the $1-million CURA research project into youth involvement in gangs, more prospective students are choosing Kwantlen for an education in the arts. Health programs at Kwantlen continue seeing solid enrolments, especially in the nursing degree programs. Kwantlen's Centre for Design and Communications, located at the Richmond Campus, has some of Canada's leading degree programs in fashion, interior design, journalism and graphic design for marketing, and continue to attract more students from local, regional and international locations.

These enrolment figures do not include Kwantlen's qualifying studies or trades and technology programs as they are still accepting students and final counts have not been done. However, it is anticipated when all numbers are in that Kwantlen's overall student count for the year will be at the highest level in its 28 year history.

Other major contributing factors to this dramatic enrolment increase include Kwantlen's new university status, the addition of new programs, and strategic changes to Kwantlen's registration system providing a more streamlined and student-centred process for course registration. All of these have put Kwantlen in a more competitive position relative to other institutions and reaffirms that Kwantlen is the institution of choice for many people.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has a tradition of providing access to educational opportunities for students with a range of interests and goals who are willing to work hard to realize those goals. Kwantlen’s new mandate as a polytechnic university emphasizes the relationship between applied programs, applied learning, applied research, and career pathways.

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For more information, contact:
Peter Chevrier
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.599.2286
peter.chevrier@kwantlen.ca