For immediate release

June 30, 2010

Kwantlen proposes new BBA in Marketing Management program

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) Kwantlen Polytechnic University Senate approved in concept a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing Management program focusing on contemporary digital media marketing with classes starting in the fall of 2011.

“As the second largest business school in Western Canada, Kwantlen’s School of Business offers a distinctive variety of programs that respond to community, regional, industry and market needs,” remarks David Atkinson, Kwantlen president and vice chancellor. “This proposed business degree program not only provides an exceptional university education, but also highly employable business acumen and skills that will enable our graduates to succeed in the real world.”

Developed through extensive consultations with business owners and managers, job descriptions and postings and external industry advisors, Kwantlen’s four-year BBA in Marketing Management program will provide students with fundamental marketing concepts as well as latest digital marketing skills to employ new media and social media, and achieve business objectives. In addition, through Kwantlen’s partnerships with key marketing agencies and industry associations, students will gain relevant work experience as they undertake client-based projects in a marketing practicum, and apply marketing theories and skills in real-world business applications.

"Kwantlen Polytechnic University's BBA in Marketing Management degree synthesizes innovation and hands-on experience, equips students for today's marketing careers and tomorrow's, and fits the new Polytechnic University mission,” notes Arthur Coren, dean of Kwantlen’s School of Business. “This new program will serve the needs of employers in British Columbia and the rest of Canada."

This industry-driven marketing management program will address the gap between what educational institutions currently offer students in training for marketing management positions, and what employers need in today’s graduates and employees to succeed in the highly competitive and technologically dominated global world of trade and commerce.

Kwantlen’s marketing department chair Paul Leigh explains the rationale in developing the curriculum, “Employers specifically told us they want three things from today’s graduates that address the “gap”: strong fundamentals in all aspect of business; job ready skills and attitude; and the ability to apply both digital and traditional strategies to a range of communication needs.” Leigh adds, “The rapidly growing use of digital marketing through new media platforms, social media networks, as well as web site optimization and analytics will factor significantly in the new degree. Students working with real-world clients will sharpen their skills, learned in the hands-on interactive classroom, as they deliver key business and digital technology-based solutions helping companies grow and prosper.”

Kwantlen’s BBA in Marketing Management program will provide opportunities for student research and faculty-student collaboration in conferences, consulting and practice in community-based business settings. Graduates will gain an education that prepares them for post-baccalaureate studies, as well as essential business skills that will lead to fulfilling and successful careers in fields such as business development, marketing and communications, and business management.

Kwantlen’s new business program prepares its students with contemporary applied marketing skills and a sound business management foundation to help organizations succeed in a dynamic global economy. For more information, visit kwantlen.ca/business

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Event info: There will be an information session for all students interested in learning about and enrolling into the new proposed Degree that is scheduled to start September 2010.
Date: Thursday, July 8, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM Session
Lunch & Info. Tables: 12:00 noon – 1:00 PM
Location: Conference Centre - 1205A, Cedar Building, Kwantlen Surrey Campus, 12666-72nd Ave, Surrey



For more information about Kwantlen’s new BBA in Marketing Management program, contact:
Arthur Coren
Dean, School of Business
Tel: 604.599.3252
arthur.coren@kwantlen.ca

OR

Paul Leigh
Department Chair, Marketing Department
paul.leigh@kwantlen.ca

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Audrey Wang
Manager, Communications
Tel: 604.599.2385
audrey.wang@kwantlen.ca