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THURSDA Y JUNE 5 2 008

WWW . NORTHS HO REO UTLOO K. COM

Director's Report ...

Capilano University-it sounds good, but what does it mean?
Capilano College already had a solid reputation
of quality teaching, small classroom sizes, unique
programming and an excellent environment to prepare
students to succeed at university. Graduates of the
degree and diploma programs were successful in
finding careers in business, health, entertainment,
arts and tourism and the continuing education and
developmental studies programs supported a wide
variety of learner needs. At the same time Capilano
brought in roughly 48 million dollars annually into
regional income, 20 million of which came from
international students.
So why become a university?
The answer is simple. Change. The world around us
is changing and so is the role of education and the
way in which education is delivered. By moving to
a teaching university Capilano will be able to keep
all the programs that have made it so successful in
supporting the communities of the North Shore, West
Vancouver, Howe Sound, Sunshine Coast and First
Nations, while creating new degree options to sustain
a vibrant and relevant post secondary education model
for our region and for our future students.

A degree from an accredited university is becoming
the minimum requirement for employers and is being
sought out by students locally and internationally.
The reasons for this are obvious. Demands in the
workforce in all sectors are evolving and becoming
more complex. But often the solution for students is to
obtain a university degree only to discover they need
to go to college to get an applied diploma to give them
the real life skills that are essential for success. This
does not make for an efficient educational system and
does not support the needs of students who are tied up
for six or more years paying tuition fees and unable
to participate in a meaningful way to the community.
Universities can and must play a more effective role
in supporting the development of our youth and
those who are seeking to upgrade their education.
Just as technology is evolving and improving, so is
education and learning. Capilano University, with its
focus on teaching and relevant programs is uniquely
and ideally situated to prepare students for success
in a wide range of disciplines through its entry level
certificate and diploma programs that have options
to continue on to meaningful applied degrees. Post
secondary education must be an inclusive process

not an exclusive one and
as a teaching university
Capilano will be a leader
in this new post secondary
model.
So what does this mean
to
our
communities
specifically? For our local
high school students it will
allow more of them to start
and finish there university
education right here in
our neighbourhood. Our
Paul Dangerfield
society will benefit from
the university's ability to attract students from across
the province, country and world, who will come
to study, live and work in our communities. And
Capilano itself will be able to operate on a level
playing field and succeed in what has now become a
highly competitive market.

-Paul Dangerfield, Director,
West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce