UPEI posts highest enrolment increase among regional universities
Enrolment at the University of Prince Edward Island is reflecting an upward trend once again this year; in fact, UPEI tops the region.
The Atlantic Association of Universities (AAU) recently posted its annual survey of preliminary enrolments on its website, with data from universities around the region as of October 1, 2016. UPEI has grown the most in terms of total full-time undergraduate and graduate enrolment with an increase over last year of 2.8 per cent. The regional average shows a decline of 0.5 per cent.
“We are working extremely hard in every way we can to highlight the excellent quality of our programs, our faculty, and our unique learning environment at UPEI,” said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor.
“We take pride in our collective efforts to provide experiential learning opportunities to our students, to allow them to reach their full potential. This work is paying off in attracting new students, vitally important at a time when demographics are changing.”
One way that UPEI is overcoming declining high school numbers in the region is by being extremely successful in drawing students from around the world. This year UPEI saw a substantial increase of international applications, resulting in 894 international student enrolments, an increase of 19.5 per cent. Of UPEI’s total student body, 21 per cent is made up of international students.
“We warmly welcome this important diversity to our campus,” adds President Abd-El-Aziz.
As of October 1, a total of 4,433 students, both full-time and part-time, were enrolled at UPEI.
The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students to reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
Assocation of Atlantic Universities news release
