Opposite enrolment stories for UNBC and CNC

Oct 22, 2021 | 4:55 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The university and the college are reporting opposite numbers for enrolment this fall.

While the number of domestic students is up at the college and international students is down, enrolment of domestic students is down at UNBC. However, the university has seen a significant jump in graduate students, which can be attributed directly to UNBC’s reputation as a research-intensity institution.

“We’ve had a number of new faculty come and they’re getting their research programs up and going,” explains Dr. Geoff Payne, Interim President of UNBC. “We’ve had outstanding success in the research ecosystem and students are coming to UNBC because of that.”

At the College of New Caledonia, the domestic enrolment numbers are up, while international student numbers are down. However, the number of international students number was very high in 2018 and 2019, making up 40% of the student body.

With a shift in the balance in student composition.

“We do want to look at trades, explains Shelley Carter-Rose, Vice President of Student Affairs. “Is there viability? Is there interest? Is there a need for students coming and looking at some of our trades and technology programs? So it’s sort of a good balance.”

However, she says enrolment in the business and health sciences is strong as it traditionally has been.