UPEI sees another enrolment increase

Charlottetown, PEI (October 14, 2010) - Enrolment has hit an all-time high at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), following a number of years of steady increases.

The latest report from the Registrar's Office indicates that there are 4,600 full-time and part-time students at the Island's only university, compared to 4,435 last year and representing a 3.7 per cent increase in overall enrolment.

UPEI's record enrolment can be attributed to a number of factors. There are more graduate students attending the university as well as additional transfer students choosing UPEI in their second and third years. UPEI Registrar, Kathleen Kielly, says, 'With the addition of new academic programs in the last few years, and an increase in the number of pathways to complete a degree, we are attracting more students in their upper years.'

More visible on campus is the jump in international students-a 17 per cent increase over last year - especially evident in numbers from the Middle East and Asia. International students will continue to be an important component of UPEI's student body, adding to the diversity of the entire Island community. Kielly adds, 'We have a long history of welcoming international students to UPEI and with our excellent English academic preparation program and other supports offered through the Webster Centre, we help make their transition to Canada easier.'

'We are extremely pleased with everyone's continued efforts to show new students why UPEI is an excellent choice. Our domestic and international recruitment team has been able to drive home that UPEI offers an intimate and unique educational experience; for example, undergraduate students can become involved in high-level research as well as access exchange, internship, and co-op opportunities at home and around the world.'

With more students comes the need for more space, and these anticipated increases in enrolment have led to the recent expansion of both residence spaces and academic facilities on the UPEI campus. A new residence - Bill and Denise Andrew Hall - was added in 2006 and construction is underway on a new building featuring classroom and lab space to house the School of Nursing and Family and Nutritional Sciences program.