UNIVERSITY CANADA WEST REMOVES DIFFERENTIAL FEES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

A Canadian ‘First’

For Immediate Release: August 10, 2005

David F Strong, President of University Canada West, Canada’s first private, self-funded university, made the historic announcement today that tuition at the innovative university would be the same for international and Canadian students. “It is our belief,” said Dr Strong, “that as we are self-funded we can offer what the mainstream universities of this country do not – and that is true tuition equality between those who live in this country; and those from other countries who wish to study here”. Dr Strong went on to say that, “part of our strategic plan is to have fully 50% international students by the year 2010, for I believe that every Canadian student should have at least one international friend. This initiative speaks to that.”

Dr Rick Roskin, Vice-president Academic of the University stated that, “the mainstream universities charge their international students between two and three times the tuition for domestic students. As a university which does not rely on public tax support, it was our feeling that we have a golden opportunity to internationalize University Canada West, and provide an important benefit to both Canadian and international students through friendships, networking and cultural awareness.”

University Canada West is deeply committed to the success of its students. It accepts them at the same standards posted by other universities, i.e. if they have a 65% average in English 12 and Principles of Mathematics 11, combined with an overall average of 65%, but unlike the others we do so on a first-come, first-served basis. “We are dedicated to preparing our graduates both for further academic progress, and for the hurly-burly of today’s marketplace”, said Dr Roskin. The university will instil a love of learning with high quality programs and distinguished professors, and will also assist its students with Learning Coaches who provide support for both course content and personal skills. A special benefit will be the personal attention a small class size affords.

And for its first class, renewable Founders Awards, which may total as much as $8,000, are available to all undergraduate students. The university even offers an “MBA Guarantee” for those who will sign a “Learning Contract” which outlines the students’ and UCW’s responsibilities as partners in learning.

“We believe these initiatives uniquely prepare University Canada West students for the challenges of this new century, and we are committed to offering our international students the same opportunity said Dr Strong.“ For those who require additional English preparation for their university careers, I take pride in referring them to our new University Canada West Academy of Languages”, he added.

CONTACT PERSON

Jim Griffith, Vice-President External Relations
University Canada West, 950 Kings Road, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8T 1W6
Tel: (250) 978-1800; Fax: (250) 978-1801
Email: info@universitycanadawest.ca

Alternate contact

Roger Wheelock, President and CEO
LearningWise International – an Affiliate of University Canada West and the University Canada West Academies
Tel: 1 250 978 1800, ext. 1017
Email: rwheelock@learningwise.com