The University of Victoria’s continuing-studies division, which already has more than 16,000 registrations a year, has undergone a major expansion to help meet the rising demand for courses that deal with topics ranging from professional development to general interest.
Course offerings are “a growing concern,” said division dean Maureen MacDonald, and the new construction has been in the works for a number of years. The addition to the 2003 building is about 34,000 square feet and cost about $12.5 million.
“I think, largely, a lot of the growth was precipitated by a growth in our English as an additional language,” she said. “So our English-language centre was the primary impetus behind it.”
Close to 3,500 people sign up for English-language courses annually, she said. “Some of those are hoping to go on to UVic — they’re just hoping to get their English skills up a little better.”
Career learners looking to upgrade their credentials are another big group, she said. “And we have some on-campus students that are taking additional credentials in order to graduate with a certificate or a diploma, maybe.”
Online courses are offered, and there are also partnerships with schools in Asia and South America that see students come for studies at UVic, MacDonald said. “Those are students that come and take anywhere from three to six weeks, up to a semester or a year, and then go back to their home institutions.”
She said the variety of courses and opportunities makes it a “microcosm” of the university.
There are more than 200 courses to choose from, said the division’s Michael Turner. “We have roughly 25 professional programs that are aimed at mid-career professionals.”
Subjects include public relations, business and computer technology. “There are also things in the heritage and cultural sectors, there’s environmental programs,” Turner said.
