Students in B.C. have even more to look forward to this back-to-school season as free open textbooks hit up to $2 million in overall student savings.

Melina Laboucan, a 33-year-old member of the Lubicon Cree First Nation, came to UVic’s Indigenous Governance (IGov) master’s program in 2013 with a clear purpose: to develop a solar energy project plan that would tackle Indigenous and environmental issues in her home town of Little Buffalo, Alberta.

Students on Vancouver Island who face barriers to education and training, such as physical or learning disabilities, will benefit from a range of programs focused on helping them succeed at their studies and get the skills they need to find fulfilling and in-demand jobs.

Aboriginal students at 14 public colleges and universities throughout British Columbia will benefit from a range of new and expanded programs to support them during their studies.

Aboriginal students at Royal Roads University will benefit from a range of new and expanded programs and services as a result of the university receiving $75,000 in one-time funding from the Province.

A new orientation manual for public post-secondary institutions has been developed to provide guidance and support effective governance throughout the province.

The Government of British Columbia announced the appointment of a commissioner under the Private Training Act (PTA) to serve as an avenue of appeal for private training institutions for certain decisions made by the registrar.

The Private Training Act will be brought into force through regulation effective Sept. 1, 2016, and will benefit students and private training institutions, including language schools.