Oct 3 - Enrolment at Douglas College highest ever

For the second year in a row, enrolment at Douglas College has hit an all-time high.

This fall more than 10,700 students - up five percent from last year and almost 12 percent from 2009 - walked through the doors at the New Westminster and Coquitlam campuses.

"Douglas's reputation as an excellent place to get a post-secondary education is growing," says Scott McAlpine, President of Douglas College. "More people are choosing Douglas based on the strength of our academic and career-based programs, and the quality of our teaching."

The number of part-time students is up eight percent over last year and 17 percent over 2009.

"An increasing number of people are returning to school to upgrade their skills and knowledge," says McAlpine. "The rise in part-time students is indicative of our changing world, in which second career learners - many of whom have work and family commitments - are looking for flexibility in their education."

This fall's cohort includes nearly 1,000 international students, a 17 percent increase over last year. The number of international students enrolled at Douglas has more than doubled since 2007.

"Internationalized education is a major focus for Douglas College," says McAlpine. "And welcoming international students to our campuses is just one aspect. We are also expanding opportunities for students and faculty to learn and work in other countries, and we are delivering whole programs overseas. We're also adding international dimensions to our teaching as well as to our research and service functions at our local campuses."