Prospective international students will soon know at a glance which BC post secondary institutions meet with the provincial government’s seal of approval.

The first education brand or seal of quality in Canada, the Education Quality Assurance (EQA) trademark initiative was recently announced by the provincial government. The new designation will help better inform all students who choose to pursue higher education in British Columbia.

Thompson Rivers University was officially granted BC EQA designation this week. “We’re pleased to be part of the EQA designation initiative as it helps to position BC post secondary institutions in a highly competitive international student market place,” said Vera Wojna, TRU Associate Vice President International (interim). “We are in full support of having this feature introduced to our sector and have been anticipating this new program.”

The EQA designation is unique in Canada in having a government back the reputation and quality of post-secondary institutions. The designation and accompanying marketing efforts will help universities increase their international activity and business opportunities. The EQA is a voluntary designation available to public and private post-secondary institutions that wish to apply.

EQA will be used worldwide to promote high-quality, reputable BC post-secondary institutions. Not only will it result in a standard trademark recognizable worldwide that reduces confusion caused by various quality assurance processes, but it will also protect BC’s reputation for quality post-secondary education and showcase the province internationally as a preferred place to live, work, and invest.

The system will be administered by the BC Council for International Education on behalf of the BC government.

“British Columbia enjoys a strong reputation internationally for providing quality post-secondary education, and government is committed to ensuring students in BC continue to receive the best education experience possible,” said Moira Stilwell, Minister for Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. “The Education Quality Assurance brand will enhance our reputation by enabling both domestic and international students to readily see which post-secondary institutions, both public and private, are recognized as having met or exceeded government-recognized quality assurance standards.”