Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is excited to welcome its first short-term cohort of Maple Leaf Educational Systems students to Kamloops this month, marking a meaningful new chapter in a long and valued partnership.
Arriving on January 26, students aged 13 to 17 will take part in an immersive short‑term program designed to introduce them to Canadian university life. Beginning January 27, the curriculum blends an introduction to TRU and the Kamloops community with engaging lessons in intercultural communication and global citizenship. Students will also gain experience from TRU experts through guest lectures on robotics and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in future careers.
Beyond the classroom, TRU is giving Maple Leaf students an unforgettable taste of British Columbia in winter. Their schedule includes a Kamloops Blazers hockey game, snowshoeing at Sun Peaks, tubing at Harper Mountain, indoor rock climbing, and a highlight for many: a three‑day, two‑night trip to Vancouver.
“Welcoming Maple Leaf students to TRU is truly exciting for us,” said Baihua Chadwick, Vice-President International. “We created this program in celebration of Maple Leaf’s anniversary last year, and it’s a wonderful way to honour that milestone while strengthening our partnership. We value our relationship with Maple Leaf and look forward to the opportunities this program creates for students and for both institutions.”
Short‑term programs like this help young learners imagine their post‑secondary future, offering a supportive and inspiring introduction to university academics, campus culture and student life. They also strengthen the relationship between TRU and Maple Leaf, a partnership built on shared commitment to global learning and student success.
Since partnering in 1998, TRU has welcomed hundreds of Maple Leaf students, collaborated on innovative programming and celebrated major milestones together—including the establishment of a Maple Leaf high school on TRU’s campus and a landmark personal donation from founder Dr. Sherman Jen that created eight scholarship endowments and funded vital research labs and equipment. This enduring partnership continues to shape meaningful learning opportunities for students at both institutions.
TRU is proud to welcome these students to campus and honoured that Maple Leaf continues to trust TRU as a destination for meaningful international learning experiences.
