Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk today announced that Kwantlen Polytechnic University will host the province's first public school of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

"Government is making solid progress on its commitment to establish the province's first public school of traditional Chinese medicine," Virk said. "At the end of the day, our focus is on giving British Columbians more choice and greater options in health care."

With the appointment of a Parliamentary Secretary for Traditional Chinese Medicine in December 2013, and now the selection of the host post-secondary institution, the next step will be the creation, later this year, of a program advisory committee.

"Establishing the public school at Kwantlen Polytechnic University is an opportunity to strengthen and consolidate British Columbia as the country's leader in traditional Chinese medicine," said TCM Parliamentary Secretary Richard T. Lee.

Currently, B.C. has no traditional Chinese medicine schools in its public post-secondary system. Having the school in the public sector will complement the six private schools already operating within the province that are accredited by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency and recognized by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of British Columbia.

"Traditional Chinese medicine is increasingly popular," said Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism Teresa Wat. "We are making progress in the implementation of a public traditional Chinese medicine school."

The TCM school - combined with potential international partnerships - will benefit British Columbians by expanding access to preventative and complementary health-care education.

"This is a unique opportunity," said Kwantlen Polytechnic University president Alan Davis. "We are excited to start working with the Province to make the school a reality."

The commitment to create an environment for a school of traditional Chinese medicine at a British Columbian publicly funded, post-secondary institution was included in the February 2013 speech from the throne and is a government platform commitment.

(flickr.com)

Media Contacts:

Rodney Porter
Communications Director
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 889-7494

Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
604 599-2883
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca