July 24, 2007

Nearly 500 international trainees in TRU programs this summer

More than 200 international trainees are coming to Kamloops this summer for specialized training programs at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), and nearly 300 more are studying in customized TRU programs in China and Chile through July and August.

For the past six years, TRU has been a leading training centre for teachers from China, and this summer 120 visiting teachers will be on campus in July and August for advanced English language studies and teacher training.

TRU’s popular summer study tours, combining English language studies with social and recreational activities, have operated for 17 years and this summer will welcome 90 participants from Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College, NOVA Academy, and Osaka Kun-Ei High School in Japan, and the Induk Institute of Technology in Korea.

TRU World Associate Vice-President Cyndi McLeod notes that, “Specialized training for international trainees has long been a focus at TRU, and we’ve had excellent numbers attending in previous years as well. But every year, we see more diversity in the countries represented by international trainees. It’s really exciting to have this range of cultures and variety of programs on campus this summer.”

In addition to the programs offered here in Kamloops, TRU remains very active in its customized training programs overseas. There are nearly 300 trainees this summer alone in teacher training programs in Viña del Mar, Chile, respiratory therapy training at the Hunan People’s Provincial Hospital in Changsha, China, and, in preparation for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, English language and customer service programs in Beijing, China. This summer’s program marks the second phase of this exciting project. The program began in fall 2006, and continues to provide intensive training for 100 managers from China Net Communications Corporation (CNC). CNC is the largest telecom company in China and the official telecommunications provider for the 2008 Olympic Games.

“TRU is continuing to build its reputation for delivering specialized, relevant training to international clients, whether on campus or overseas, and it’s a competitive advantage we’re very proud of,” says McLeod.

Canada’s most comprehensive university, TRU’s international projects and linkages currently extend to more than 45 countries with students from more than 50 nations enrolled at the main campus in Kamloops. TRU World is the university’s international education, training, and development division. Please see www.truworld.ca for more.

For more information contact:

Cyndi McLeod
Associate Vice-President, TRU World
Thompson Rivers University
Tel: 1-250-828-5191
Email: cmcleod@tru.ca