Students at the University of Northern British Columbia will benefit from improved and upgraded campus facilities, thanks to over $582,000 in capital funding that is part of government's $44-million investment in B.C.'s post-secondary infrastructure this year.

The work will include enhancing exterior lighting to improve campus safety, and implementing a number of energy-efficiency projects related to heat distribution and lighting to improve UNBC's excellent track record in campus sustainability.

B.C. taxpayers are providing more than $47.6 million for operations at UNBC this year - including an allowance for general infrastructure maintenance - up from $30.4 million in 2001-02. The number of funded student spaces at the university has increased almost 23 per cent since 2003-04.

More than $68 million has been invested in capital projects at the university since 2001, including funding for the new Teaching and Learning Centre and the Northern Health Sciences Centre which houses the northern medical program.

Quotes:

MLA Pat Bell, Prince George-Mackenzie -

"It's projected that in the next decade over one million new jobs will be created in British Columbia. This funding will ensure that Prince George students have the skills they need to fill these jobs and meet the demands of B.C. employers."

MLA Shirley Bond, Prince George-Valemount -

"Since it opened, UNBC has made a significant difference in Northern British Columbia. The campus means that students can make the choice to obtain post-secondary training closer to home. This grant will allow for important upgrades including enhanced lighting, energy efficiencies and fire protection improvements."

George Iwama, president, University of Northern British Columbia -

"The original buildings on the Prince George campus were opened in 1994, and additional funding such as this allows us to continually make improvements to the buildings and their operation. Visitors to the campus are so impressed with what we've built here, and our students and faculty truly have a matchless setting in which to learn and conducting leading research."

Funding for B.C. post-secondary institutions:

• $23.7 billion - amount of money invested in post-secondary education in B.C. since 2001.

• 57 per cent - the increase in total operating funding since 2001 across the university sector, along with a 26 per cent increase in total operating funding for the college and institute sector since 2001.

• $1.9 billion - the amount invested in support of post-secondary education this year.

• $10,090 - amount per full-time student funded by the provincial government, up from $8,440 in 2001-02.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400