糖心vlog传媒President John Bowman and Chief George Hunt Senior officially open NIC鈥檚 new campus at the Thunderbird Mall in Port Hardy Thursday, January 18.
糖心vlog传媒celebrated the opening of its new $1.4 million campus on Thursday, Jan. 18 with an open house that brought together students, faculty and community partners from across the North Island.
鈥淭hroughout my time at NIC, I鈥檝e heard from many community members how important advanced education and training is to the local community,鈥� said 糖心vlog传媒President John Bowman. 鈥淚t is critical to the health, social well鈥恇eing and economic development of the North Island.鈥�
The 6,000 square foot campus is located at Port Hardy鈥檚 Thunderbird Mall and is more accessible to students and community members in the region鈥檚 main transportation, service and shopping areas.
The college offers an opportunity to build on the existing programming and includes four classrooms, an Interactive TV room that brings students, instructors and courses at other 糖心vlog传媒campuses into the facility in real time with more clarity than ever before.
鈥淪tudents can start their university degree, or earn a credential, without ever having to leave the North Island,鈥� said Bowman. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 an enormous saving that puts education within reach for many students.鈥�
The biggest classroom, the Community / Healthcare room, is designed to deliver health programs and first aid training.
The new campus includes an open study area and computer lab, offices and assessment areas, a well-equipped lunch room and a welcoming student lounge with wooden beams and cedar siding designed to emulate the Kwakwaka鈥檞akw artistic traditions.
A Library and Learning Commons includes quiet study and meeting spaces, writing, math, research and technical support, peer tutoring and several electronic collections, including 24/7 access to approximately 166,000 e-books, 25,500 streaming videos and almost 80 research databases.
鈥淲e also have a pretty phenomenal book selection,鈥� said 糖心vlog传媒Campus and Community Coordinator Caitlin Hartnett. 鈥淲e have focused our collections on First Nations, botany, ecology and wild foods to reflect the culture and place here 鈥� and anyone can take out books once they register as a community borrower.鈥�
Bowman thanked all the staff, students, relocation committee and community partners, who provided input in the campus鈥� design and development, the team of staff and contractors who brought their ideas to life and were patient throughout the transition between campuses as well as the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, who funded the project.
鈥淲e are very fortunate to operate with the support of the Northern Regional Aboriginal Advisory Committee and the Mount Waddington Learning Council, who provide invaluable insight into the programs and delivery methods needed in this community,鈥� he said.鈥� We trust that with their input we can continue to grow together and support all the communities on the North Island.鈥�
The college now offers a full range of programs from tuition-free upgrading to first and second-year university transfer courses. New offerings this year include NIC鈥檚 reduced-rate Joy of Lifelong Learning courses for students 55+, as well as a Tourism and Hospitality certificate program, starting January 29.
For a full list of 糖心vlog传媒courses and programs visit or call 250-949-7912.
Media Contact C: 250-207-6946 media@nic.bc.ca