There has been a growing belief that Canada has accepted too many international students. In conversation with Dr. Bill Owen, president of UNBC, said “domestic students have priority. And UNBC did not overinvest in international students.”
He proceeded to say that there is a financial impact felt. However, their priority are domestic students. Then he affirmed his claim by stating that “UNBC has seen an increase in number of domestic students”.
UNBC has a wide range of financial help that domestic students can receive. Students can find financial aid information here and scholarship information here.
In a different conversation, Dr. Owen communicated that there has been a growing demand for the counselling program as Terrace has been dealing with addiction related issues. “It’s another way that we can support the mental health, needs of the community and surrounding areas”, Dr. Owen added.
Dr. Owen brought this point up by sharing that UNBC is moving to Thornhill in the Northwest Trades & Employment Training Centre. UNBC will move there in May for a year and half.
There will be no impact on the students. UNBC will be taking their equipment with them to the Northwest Trades & Employment Training Centre. It will only be a different configuration.
UNBC is exploring options for their move after the year and half. Part of the decision of selling the building is enhancing the student experience. UNBC prefers having a campus with amenities like coffee shops, food spaces where students can gather and build community.
“We enhance that environment so that students, don’t only just learn in the classroom, but they learn in the hallways, they learn in those social spaces. And some of the best ideas, whether it comes for an essay or, it’s an idea that they take on to, develop entrepreneurial, endeavors, can come outside of those classroom spaces”
Dr. Owen said they are committed to being in Terrace.
UNBC was approached by Northern Health about selling the building to them as Northern Health was looking for a place to build their detox center for the northwest community.