Centennial College sets record with largest enrolment in its 44-year history

TORONTO, Sept. 22 /CNW/ - Centennial College, Ontario's first public college, has seen its full-time student enrolment expand by 35 per cent since fall of 2006, including a 9.5 per cent increase in the student population in the past year alone.

Centennial welcomed 14,766 full-time students this month, not including those in apprenticeship programs. The student population tops 16,000 when every full-time category is counted - its largest fall enrolment since the college opened in 1966.

Much of the expansion is attributed to continued growth in international visa students, as well as "Second Career" participants. These recently unemployed individuals, funded by the Ontario government, are registered in a variety of career-oriented programs that will help them prepare for new employment opportunities.

"Consistent enrolment increases over the past five years demonstrate our ability to plan for both growth and stability," says Centennial College President Ann Buller. "More students, especially those coming from overseas, are choosing Centennial because of our unique pledge to teach global citizenship, preparing them for work anywhere and educating them for a changing world."

Centennial is working hard to accommodate its growing population. It purchased the former Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies from the Toronto District School Board to house its information and communication technology programs, which opened at Progress Campus on Sept. 7. Next spring the college will unveil its new Library and Academic Facility, with enough instruction space for an additional 1,900 students.

Centennial College 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. Centennial (www.centennialcollege.ca) offers programs in business, communication arts, community and health studies, science and engineering technology, general arts, hospitality and transportation.

For further information:

Media contact: Mark Toljagic, Communications Officer, 416-289-5000, ext. 7142;
cell 416-605-6012; [email protected]