|
Press Release For Immediate
Release Monday Oct. 3, 2005
University Canada West Opens Doors – Historic Moment
in Canadian Education
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA
University Canada West, the first private self supporting university
approved under the BC Degree Authorization Act, and Canada's first
such University is now a reality. UCW began its first classes on September
26 with a founding class of 19 students. “. UCW prides itself
by focusing on Student Success in a very personal way. This first
class of students will receive a tremendous amount of attention from
faculty who have been selected, not only for their outstanding academic
credentials but because they love to teach in a small institution
which focuses on personal interaction”, says Dr. David Strong,
President.
The first degree offered is a Bachelor of Commerce in Management
Technology. You can also study for Commerce degrees in International
Business, Strategic Leadership, Tourism and E Commerce. Additional
degrees, including BAs in Economics, Media/Communications, Culture/Heritage/Tourism,
and a BASc in Geography, have been reviewed and Ministry approval
is expected shortly. Other programs are in the pipeline
University Canada West is not restricted to undergraduate education
.An MBA program starts with 15 students on October 7th.The MBA program
offers unique options, especially for the mature learner
The historic day began with University Canada West President Dr.
David Strong greeting students as they arrived on campus at 950 Kings
Road in downtown Victoria. A morning of introductory lectures (“awesome
teachers” said one student afterwards) was followed by lunch
and an afternoon of orientation to the University’s unique features,
and ended with a barbecue under a beautiful Victoria sunset. The enthusiasm
and excitement of students, faculty and staff was magnificent. Students
continue their orientation through the week, using activities such
as a scavenger hunt designed to get to know “Victoria as Our
Campus”.
The University Canada West degree programs differ from traditional
ones. While they provide the same 40 courses, they are delivered in
3-month Quarters rather than the usual four-month Semesters. This
allows students to graduate within just two and one half years, gaining
an early entry into the job market, with significant financial benefits
in both the immediate and long term.
All degrees have a practical orientation to skills as well as knowledge
and understanding, ensured by Learning Coaches as well as top-notch
professors. No matter what their specialty, all students take the
same 15 Arts and Science courses in their first year, dispersing for
their 20 specialty courses for different degree programs, and reuniting
in the final quarter for five “capstone courses”. The
capstone courses provide an integration and overview of global and
fundamental ideas – world religions and philosophies, world
monetary systems, scientific revolutions, etc.
Dr. Rick Roskin, Vice-President Academic, said, “We want our
students to graduate as skilled as well as educated individuals, ready
to succeed in whatever challenges they take on in employment, post-graduate
studies, or personal ventures.”
As well as the in-class instruction and tutorial support now provided,
all courses will eventually be accessible on line using the University’s
specially developed software and portals termed “MYUCW”.
Dr. Strong said “Our students are dynamic and mobile, and we
want them to have maximum flexibility and choice of learning methods
in space and time.” He noted that University Canada West is
probably also unique in that its tuition fees are the same for both
international and Canadian students.
University Canada West also offers a number of Diploma and Certificate
programs, and details can be found at http://www.universitycanadawest.ca
.
For further information, please contact:
Jim Griffith, Vice-President External Relations
University Canada West
950 Kings Road
Victoria, BC Canada V8T 1W6
Telephone: 250-978-1800;
Facsimile: 250-978-1801;
Email: info@universitycanadawest.ca
| 
