KAMLOOPS-UCC is setting another record this year, this time due to a major increase in specialized international training programs at its Kamloops campus.

A record number of international trainees and students from China, Taiwan, and Japanmore than 400will participate in study tour and specialized teacher training programs throughout the summer and fall, bringing the university’s 2004 international contract revenue to $1.4 million, and contributing an additional $3.5 million to the local economy.

“UCC’s international programming has a significant impact on the Kamloops economy,” says UCC International executive director Cyndi McLeod. “And this is certainly true of the contract programs we are doing this year. But these short-term programs also deliver a number of additional benefits for UCC and the community. They allow for professional exchange and development for our faculty, and they are an important aspect of cross-cultural exchange for the people and businesses of Kamloops.”

Many of these trainees are high school or college instructors in their home countries who have come to UCC for advanced English studies combined with training in language teaching techniques.

“This year’s dramatic increase in short-term programs reflects UCC’s growing reputation as an international destination for teacher training,” says McLeod. “UCC has a long history of excellence in English as a Second Language programming, and our partners and clients around the world are coming here to tap into this expertise.”

Along with teacher-trainees, UCC is also receiving groups of Chinese college administrators for professional development programs. “UCC is well recognized for innovation and excellence in educational administration. This is the kind of institution that college administrators overseas seek out to learn about educational leadership in North America,” said Larry Peatt, international contracts manager.

In addition to the dramatic increase in specialized training programs this year, enrollment of international students in UCC’s regular semester programs has also reached record-high levels. More than 700 students from 48 different countries studied at UCC in the past academic year. This contributed $20 million directly to local businesses, generated an overall economic impact of $50 million per year, and created an additional 240 seats for the exclusive use of Canadian students. -30- For more information, please contact UCC International Associate Director Vera Wojna at 371-5529.

Facts & Figures:

• UCC International is the coordinating and facilitating unit for all international activity at The University College of the Cariboo. The department maintains active links, manages projects and cooperates with associates in more than 26 countries worldwide.
• In the 2003/2004 university year, there were 700 full-time and 300 part-time students from 45 different countries studying at UCC.
• UCC has 50 offshore education initiatives running in 26 countries worldwide.
• UCC’s two-part International program consists of recruiting international students for study at UCC, and offering UCC courses, credentials and training programs offshore.
• UCC International generated over $7 million in gross revenues to UCC, creating 240 seats for Canadian students last year.
• UCC’s new $12 million International Centrea completely self-funded capital project with no financial support from governmentis almost complete. This new facility will allow UCC to more than double its international student population within the next five years, increasing the economic impact of UCC International to over $120 million annually.
• UCC has offered cultural study tours for more than 14 years, and is currently hosting eight student groups from Japan, including one from Kamloops’ sister city, Uji City, Japan, for intensive English language studies combined with a broad program of socio-cultural activities.
• Additional groups are traveling to Kamloops from the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hebei, Guangxi, Chongqing, and Shenzhen in China, to be joined by UCC’s first-ever training group from Taichung, Taiwan.