Education without borders: Centennial College draws big international student numbers

Online, October 6, 2009 (Newswire.com) - October 7, 2009, Toronto - Rising interest in Centennial College as a destination for international students has contributed to Ontario's first college experiencing full-time student enrollment growth of 16 per cent this fall - more than double the rate recorded by the Ontario college system.

Offering refuge from the economic downturn, domestic student enrollment grew by 13 per cent, which included 525 "Second Career" participants whose tuition is paid for by the provincial government. These recently unemployed individuals are registered in a variety of career-oriented programs that will help them retrain for new careers.

The college's biggest gain was in international education: 1,673 visa-carrying students traveled to Canada and enrolled in Centennial programs for the fall semester, representing an increase of more than 40 per cent over last year.

"Centennial is building an international reputation for offering relevant and affordable post-secondary education," noted Centennial College President Ann Buller. "With campuses in India and with partner schools in the People's Republic of China, we've established a presence in the world's fastest growing economies, where a Canadian college education is seen as a genuine benefit."

Overall, Centennial boasts a student population of 14,400 - a net gain of 2,000 learners over last year - which includes apprenticeships and joint-degree programs with the University of Toronto Scarborough and Ryerson University.

Centennial is recognized as one of the most culturally diverse post-secondary institutions in Canada and has a stated goal of promoting global citizenship and equity. Established as Toronto's first public college in 1966, Centennial College (www.centennialcollege.ca) offers programs in business, communication arts, community and health studies, science and engineering technology, general arts, hospitality and transportation.