Minister Proclaims Nova Scotia Canada's University Capital
NOTE: A social media release with downloadable high-resolution photographs, audio and video clips is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2010-01-11-capital.asp . A note to editors will be sent when additional elements from the news conference are added.
A marketing campaign promoting the world-class offerings of Nova Scotia universities was launched in Halifax today, Jan. 11.
The campaign markets Nova Scotia as "Canada's University Capital" to prospective students and their parents.
"We are sending a strong message to students across Canada: Nova Scotia is the destination for education in this country," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks, on behalf of the Premier Darrell Dexter. "We want prospective students and their parents to know that Nova Scotia's universities offer a wide range of quality programs and a personalized approach to learning."
An enthusiastic crowd of university students and alumni from across Nova Scotia were on hand for the launch.
"The competition for students in Canada is fierce, this campaign will help Nova Scotia's universities stand out and remind our young people that a world-class education can be found right here," said Cape Breton University president John Harker, chair of the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents.
The campaign brings together every university in the province, offering a unified voice under the Come to Life brand. An interactive website gives visitors an opportunity to meet a professor from each university and receive a brief introduction to their university. From the campaign site, visitors can access links to explore offerings of each university.
The campaign will also be launched with events in Toronto and Ottawa later this month.
"This campaign is one part of government's overall goal to attract and retain young people to the province. After receiving their education at one of the province's fine universities, we invite those alumni to stay here, put down roots, and build a life in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Estabrooks.
"Nova Scotia is also grateful for the many friends and ambassadors around the world who have come to Nova Scotia for their higher education and continue to boast about the province, its people and their experiences at our universities."
"The education I received in Nova Scotia was invaluable to me," said John Rogers, an Acadia and Dalhousie alumnus and CEO of the law firm of Stewart McKelvey.
"My professors knew me by name. I felt like I was part of a community. The value given to excellence in my field of study instilled a sense of pride that has carried on throughout my career. It provided me with the foundation for life-long learning."
A province steeped in a tradition of education, Nova Scotia remains an education destination of choice for out-of-province and international students. In 2009, more than 16,000 out-of-province students and more than 4,000 international students from 100 countries were enrolled in programs across the province.