THE INFORMER PAGE 3 SEPTEMBER 16, 1991 Ministry Briefs Highlights of the Ministry’s Annual Report The Annual Report of the Advanced Education, Training and Technology Ministry highlights a number of initiatives begun in 1989/90. Here are a few: * The government unveiled the $690 million Access for All program, designed to help the post-secondary system meet the needs of British Columbians well into the 21st century. B.C. universities became partners in 13 out of 14 National Networks of Centres of Excellence. These networks are components of a four-year $240 million federal-provincial program to promote science and technology. * The ministry contributed $500,000 to Strategic Planning for Applied Research and Knowledge. SPARK looks for creative applications of science and technology in such activities as workshops and publishing. New Spaces Added to Post-Secondary System The Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology has added 1,076 full-time student spaces to the post- secondary system for the 1991-92 year. The new spaces represent $7.85 million of the ministry’s budget. In the Lower Mainland, 771 full-time spaces have been allotted, distributed as follows: Capilano College 30 spaces $127,000 Douglas College 30 spaces $135,000 Fraser Valley College 60 spaces $272,000 Kwantlen College 80 spaces $333,000 VCC 100 spaces $400,000 SFU 100 spaces $679,000 UBC 371 spaces $2.5 million SFU to get Phase Ill of Harbour Centre Simon Fraser University has received a $1 million grant from the Advanced Education, Training and Technology Ministry toward third phase construction of the Harbour Centre campus. SFU president Dr. William Saywell welcomed the grant, saying it is the key to helping the university better serve its student and community users. The $26 million Harbour Centre campus has received $23.5 million of its capital funding from private sector donations. The campus accommodates more than 20,000 credit and non-credit students each year. BCIT to get Campus Technology Building The British Columbia Institute of Technology has been awarded $7.5 million for construction of a new campus technology building. “The building will greatly augment the institute’s other high tech offerings,” said Peter Dueck, Minister of Advanced Education, Training and Technology. BCIT president John Watson said the new facility, the Technology Block, will be a significant step toward realizing the institute’s 1989 Campus Master Plan. Scheduled for completion by August 1992, the block will provide space for 1,050 students and 114 faculty and staff. Emily Carr College to Open New Granville Island Facility The Emily Carr College of Art and Design has received $600,000 in planning funds to construct a new building. The $10 million Granville Island facility will accommodate the college’s expanding student population and program offerings. “This facility will allow the college to take a major step towards its goal of uniting students, faculty and staff at a single location on Granville Island,” said MLA Doug Mowat (Vancouver-Little Mountain). Originally planned for 500 full-time students, Emily Carr College now offers courses to 2,200 part- and full-time students. A third of its programs take place in leased off-campus sites. The new facility, projected to open in September 1991, will contain studios, and expanded library and teaching areas. Okanagan College Getting Five New Buildings Okanagan College will construct five buildings for its new North Kelowna Campus. The $30.7 million project will include fees, construction, furniture and equipment. The ministry is funding 18,180 square metres of instructional and support space. The North Kelowna Campus will include the following: an arts building, student services centre, library and central plant and a science building. Fraser Valley College Abbotsford Campus to Expand Fraser Valley College, on its way to becoming a university/ college, plans an $8 million expansion of its Abbotsford campus. Tenders have been called for construction of a three-storey, 4,500-square-foot classroom, lab and Student Society building. The project also includes renovations to another campus building that will accommodate 350 full-time equivalent students. In addition, a $4.5 million development is already underway. This project will see a new Health Sciences complex arise at the Chilliwack campus and a new carpentry shop and trades facilities built at the Abbotsford site. The facilities are expected to be finished by September 1992. The expansion coincides with the college’s moves toward becoming a university/college. The university/college, announced by the ministry in July, will offer opportunities for degree completion in Arts. The announcement was part of the $690 million Access for All program. Construction to Begin on Kwantlen's Langley Campus Kwantlen College’s proposed $30.5 million Langley campus has gone to tender for a construction start this month. “This new campus will ensure Langley residents gain increased access to post-secondary opportunities,” said Peter Dueck, Minister for Advanced Education, Training and Technology. The 15,400-square-metre campus will be built on an 18.2- hectare site north of Logan Creek and east of the Langley By- Pass. When complete, it will accommodate 3,500 full- and part- time students.