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SPROTT SHAW COLLEGE S prott Shaw College is a textbook example of a local school with a global reach. What originally began as a business institute in Victoria 110 years ago has now evolved into a college boasting 13 campuses across B.C. that offer degrees and diplomas for domestic and international students alike, in over 120 programs. Sprott Shaw’s commitment to its students doesn’t simply end at graduation. The college employs a team of career-placement specialists at each campus to assist students with resumés, preparing for interviews and sourcing out job opportunities for them. In keeping with that support system, Sprott Shaw has also established its own call centre where specialists connect graduates with full- and part-time jobs in their chosen field. With flexible start dates and scheduling “We go the extra mile to prepare our stuoptions, employment support services and dents for interviews, to make sure we talk lifetime upgrades and refresher courses, to employers to source out job leads, and Sprott Shaw has always attracted its fair to ensure that students are lined up with share of local students for training in the opportunities so there’s an even better trades and healthcare disciplines. However, chance for them to secure good jobs quickthe college has also seen a groundswell of ly,” says Sprott Shaw president Patrick Dang. international students coming through its doors in recent years to enroll in business Nurturing and supporting a student body and technology as well as tourism and hos- that can exceed 2,500 each year can be a pitality programs. tall order, and Dang is quick to credit the school’s roster of dedicated faculty and staff Word of Sprott Shaw’s success in building for helping to spur the continued growth. a bustling hub for international students is spreading far beyond Canada’s borders, “Our faculty form the foundation here,” says thanks to the college establishing its own Dang. “Without great instructors, you cancareer-preparation programs in licenced not have great students. I’m very pleased partner institutions located in countries and proud to say our instructors go out of in the Middle East, China, Japan and their way and our smaller class sizes allow Southeast Asia. them to really get to know the wants and needs and learning patterns of each student, To act as a welcoming committee for those which helps us produce solid graduates.” new arrivals, the college is actively involved in assisting international students with Dang is firmly convinced that R.J. Sprott and securing accommodations and medical W.H. Shaw — the two men who founded the insurance, dealing with immigration and venerable institution in 1903 — would be banking issues as well as organizing group proud of both how the school has thrived outings and student activities. and the direction in which it continues to head. The school is further developing its international appeal through its involvement in a “As our new mandate states, we provide relseries of “Global Education Cities” currently evant skills for meaningful jobs. We’ve been under development in Richmond and the here for 110 years, we’re tried, tested and South Cambie district of Vancouver. When proven and we stand by our graduates,” says completed, the sites will host a number of Dang. “We want our students to believe in public and private colleges and universities us as much as we believe in them and their and provide amenities such as student hous- chosen path or career.” ing, retail outlets and restaurants as well as travel agencies and immigration lawyers and consultants. photo: right: PROF I LES of E XC E L L E NC E “We’re tried, tested and proven and we stand by our graduates. We want our students to believe in us as much as we believe in them and their chosen path or career.” – Patrick Dang, Sprott Shaw President 13 SPROTT SHAW LOCATIONS IN BC TEL 604-583-1004 WEB SPROTTSHAW.COM Sprott Shaw President Patrick Dang A Sprott Shaw student in the classroom 21