Editor:
Re: Coast needs a university (Letters, Oct. 9)
In a recent letter to the editor, Paul Johnston called on the local community to get behind a university on the Sunshine Coast. In his letter he noted, “Education is the key to community development.”
We at Capilano University’s Sunshine Coast campus agree, which is why we have been supporting the local needs for post-secondary education for more than 30 years.
Since 1977, the Sunshine Coast campus has been the starting point for thousands of students as they embark on or continue with their post-secondary studies. Over time we’ve offered health care programs, trades programs, documentary and film studies, early childhood education, education assistant and fisheries sciences along with a range of continuing education courses that offered local citizens opportunities for both personal and professional development.
For our faculty and students the community is as much our classroom as the campus. Our students practise in the local schools and day care centres. They are in the libraries and on the trails. The rich programming this campus offers continues to respond to changing community needs. We have formed strong partnerships with local organizations including Vancouver Coastal Health, Community Futures, Sodexo and Christenson Village.
This year we launched the shishá7lh Language and Culture certificate developed in partnership with the Sechelt Nation and are launching an education assistant program also in partnership with the Sechelt Nation in January 2015.
Planning is underway to explore the viability of offering a one-year, full-time business program next year.
We will continue to work closely with people here on the Coast to offer programs that support the community development crucial to a vibrant and resilient community.
Jean Bennett, Dean, Capilano University Sunshine Coast
