St. Thomas University is reaching out to new markets through a pilot project supported by the Government of Canada. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and St. Thomas University President Dr. Michael Higgins.
"The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that advance long-term economic opportunities for communities such as Fredericton and the surrounding region," said Minister Ashfield. "Through ACOA, our investment of $750,000 will help St. Thomas University develop and implement a growth strategy targeting students in the United States with a particular emphasis on the New England area."
St. Thomas University is the only exclusively liberal arts university in Canada and has the largest liberal arts enrolment in New Brunswick. Preliminary research of the New England market suggests that there is an opportunity to capitalize on both the university’s geographical proximity to the United States, the relative cost advantage offered by lower tuition fees at St. Thomas compared to those in the US.
“We are well known within our local region for being a ‘leader in liberal arts’ by virtue of our programmes, faculty and the success of our graduates,” said Dr. Higgins. “Breaking into the New England market requires new approaches with a higher level of sophistication, and our success will act as a pilot for others and serve our province’s interest in attracting people to New Brunswick.”
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, is investing $750,000 in the pilot project. Funding will support hiring the expertise needed to develop and implement a growth strategy as well as cover costs associated with website design, advertising, travel, publications and promotional materials targeting the US market and in particular those students planning to study in the New England area. Results of the pilot will be shared with other tertiary institutions seeking to make similar in-roads into the US market.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
St. Thomas University is reaching out to new markets through a pilot project thanks to an investment of $750,000 from the Government of Canada through ACOA. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for ACOA.
ACOA’s investment will assist the university to develop and implement a growth strategy that targets students in the United States, in particular the New England region. The strategy will aim to capitalize on STU’s strengths as an exclusively liberal arts university located geographically close to New England.
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INFORMATION:
Peta Fussell
Senior Communications Officer, ACOA NB
506-452-3304
Jeffrey Carleton
Director of Communications and Media Relations
St. Thomas University
506-452-0522
