BC’s three major Interior universities have even more opportunity to work together in creating technological innovations, as new funding comes their way for tech programs.

Last week, BC Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Melanie Mark announced funding for universities throughout the province for technology-related programs.

Mark unveiled $400,000 for Thompson Rivers University, $400,000 for University of Northern BC (UNBC) and $600,000 for UBC Okanagan (UBCO) to create more than 500 new seats in tech-related programs. The funds allow TRU to move forward with a software engineering program and a universal co-op education year.

The funding also provides a boost to the Interior University Research Coalition (IURC), launched last year. IURC is a way of sharing and pooling research resources among TRU, UNBC and UBCO that aims at student development, collaboration and joint funding proposals. The universities also allow students to transfer amongst the three of them for engineering-related programs.

While TRU’s funding goes toward software engineering, UBCO’s is directed to expanding its computer science program and a new manufacturing engineering program. UNBC’s funding will support civil and environmental engineering degrees.

For more information:

Michele Young
Media relations/Copywriter
250-828-5361  micyoung@tru.ca