UBCO, college get cash to expand tech programs

UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College are receiving provincial funding to expand tech programs.

UBC is receiving $600,000, in part to support new manufacturing-engineering and expanded computer science degree programs at the Okanagan campus.

There will be 96 seats per year by 202223 and 24 additional graduates per year by 2023.

This funding will allow UBC to “deepen the talent pool for data scientists, software engineers, manufacturing innovators and biomedical researchers in B.C. companies,” said Santa Ono, president of UBC.

“We will continue to work with industry, government and our post-secondary partners to ensure students are best prepared for high-paying, in-demand careers in tech fields, including computer science and biomedical and mechanical engineering,” he said.

The province will also provide annual funding for a total of 30 spaces in the animation diploma program at Okanagan College, on top of its one-time funding of $250,000 last year.

This annual funding will produce 15 graduates per year by 2020 and will allow Okanagan College to offer the animation program on an ongoing basis at a lower cost to students.

The next intake of animation students at Okanagan College is planned for this September.

“Technology will play a big role in our future economy,” said Jim Hamilton, president of Okanagan College. “Funding innovative programming such as the animation diploma at the college will result in greater access to educational pathways that will lead directly to jobs in our booming Okanagan tech sector.”