Friday, May 23, 2008

Here's Your Chance...

One of my great regrets was not having the opportunity to finish any kind of formal education, in fact I dropped out of school in grade 10 to run my Dad's service station as he was sick and died within the year. After being out of school for a few years I got a big break and got to attend Holland College as a mature student and if I were a little younger I would certainly jump at this opportunity. I don't think there is anything more important than to get as much education as you can, as it'll never hurt you and likely open a lot of doors for you in the future. I spend a lot of time trying to encourage youth to stay in school and take advantage of what they have in front of them, even if it means taking on some debt. A degree won't give you a license to print money but I think it will give you some self confidence and help you secure some stepping stones along life's path. So if you're out there and you're got some extra time on your hands, then this may be an opportunity for you that you're employer may support, so think about it. One of our staff is heading into a MBA program and we're fully supporting them as I believe what they get out of it will come back to our workplace. Kudos to UPEI for developing such an initiative.
UPEI offers mature student degree
Friday, May 23, 2008 CBC News
The University of Prince Edward Island is offering a new bachelor of integrated studies, designed for students who bring a significant amount of life experience to their studies.

'We thought that we would get like 20 people show up, and we had 120.'
— dean of arts Richard KurialStudents can complete the new program with 30 credits, instead of the usual 40, and study courses in arts, sciences or business. They can also apply to receive credit for work experience. Only people out of high school for seven years or more can apply.

Dean of arts Richard Kurial told CBC News Friday there is already a demonstrated interest in the program.

"Other universities offer an integrated studies or a general studies degree so it's not an uncommon thing," said Kurial.

"We weren't sure on P.E.I., so basically we went out and put on some seminars, just information seminars at [the Department of Veterans Affairs] and the provincial government, saying, 'Would anybody be interested?' And the first one we did I think was at DVA and we thought that we would get like 20 people show up, and we had 120 come by."

Only about 19 per cent of undergraduate students at UPEI are more than 25 years old, which is well below the national average of 30 per cent. This degree is expected to boost those numbers.

The new program begins in the fall.

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