$9-million Faculty of Management Building Opened at Malaspina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 6, 2006

Ministry of Advanced Education

NANAIMO – The provincial government officially opened Malaspina University-College’s Faculty of Management building today, which brings all of Malaspina’s management training programs under one high-tech roof to simulate modern business settings.

“We’re working together with B.C.’s post-secondary institutions to give our students state-of-the-art learning environments that prepare them to be part of tomorrow’s economy,” Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell said. “The new Faculty of Management building is another example of the importance we place on giving our students the best possible learning experience by investing in their future, and in the future of our province.”

The Province contributed $7 million, and Malaspina University-College raised $2 million as its share of the $9-million project. The 3,330-square-metre building provides space for 200 full-time students in the departments of business and management, recreation and tourism management, and hospitality management. It contains state-of-the-art digital and video equipment in an entrepreneurial atmosphere.

“This new management centre will help Malaspina continue to meet the needs of students from this part of Vancouver Island, and well beyond our borders,” Nanaimo-Parksville MLA Ron Cantelon said. “Malaspina offers a broad spectrum of courses and programs, including almost 1,000 spaces for students in vocational and trades areas, as well as academic programs.”

The new building allows Malaspina to expand its international and domestic undergraduate and graduate programming and research. Malaspina is receiving 1,100 new student spaces by 2010.

“On behalf of the board of governors at Malaspina University-College, and the students who will enjoy this extraordinary new facility, I thank the government for continuing to invest in post-secondary opportunities on Vancouver Island,” Malaspina president Rich Johnston said. “There is a worldwide demand for exceptional leaders in business. This new faculty of management will prepare future business leaders to excel in a growing global economy.”

In the past five years, the Province has provided more than $1 billion in new funding for capital projects on campuses across B.C., and has allocated almost $800 million more by 2009 to accommodate growth. Government has also funded more than 17,000 new seats at B.C. universities, colleges and university colleges.

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