For over 50 years, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has played an integral role in laying the foundations on which the province of British Columbia was built.
“Back in the Sixties, there was a focus on building the infrastructure of this province for future generations,” recalled Bill Dow, Vice President for Academics at BCIT.
A pioneer in applied education, BCIT works closely with industry and business to better understand their employee and industry requirements, which form the development of BCIT’s programs and curriculum.
“Our key partner is industry, whose leaders work with us every step of the way. That is a unique attribute of BCIT,” stressed Dow.
As one of the largest post-secondary institutions in Canada, BCIT offers programs and courses in the following fields: Applied and Natural Sciences, Business and Media, Computing and IT, Engineering, Health Sciences, Trades and Apprenticeship, among others.
Across five campuses and 10 satellite locations, BCIT educates more than 47,000 fulltime and part-time students every year in over 370 programs.
Over the last decade, the institute has expanded its connections beyond Canada. In China, South Korea, and Brazil, BCIT helps its partners in the development of their curriculum through capacity–building and the effective implementation of new programs. BCIT also offers offshore diploma programs at more than a dozen of partner institutes abroad.
As Asian economies face rapid growth and huge changes in their business landscapes, BCIT recognizes a growing need for high-level vocational training and applied education in the region, where university education remains the preferred path for career growth. A significant element of our business is international. To be relevant as a postsecondary institute, you need global experience. What we bring to overseas partnerships is a BCIT total solution. We provide our international partners with the capacity to create the BCIT learning experience for their students, said Dow.
BCIT is also seeking expanded partnerships in countries like India, Vietnam, and the Philippines, which are increasing efforts to support their own vocational and applied training to complement their economic development plans.
“The advantage of having an international partner is that it holds you accountable. Successful companies recognize that. And, that’s what they are gaining: our guidance and consulting helps them hit that mark every time,” said Dow.
