VICTORIA, BC – June 23, 2016
 
Distinguished education leaders from around Canada and abroad gathered on Tuesday at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria to recognize outstanding achievement in the field of International Education in British Columbia (BC). The BC International Education Awards, hosted by the BC Council for International Education (BCCIE), recognize leaders in six categories.

Each year, the BCCIE International Education Awards celebrate the professionalism, dedication and efforts of an exemplary group of experts and practitioners in the field of International Education in BC. Winners represent the broad range of leaders and practitioners from all parts of the sector and showcase the best and brightest in our province.

2016 Award Winners

• The University of Victoria CANEU-COOP Program won the Outstanding Program in International Education Award, given to a high quality and highly creative program in International Education.
• Yalda Ahmadi of Vancouver Island University won the Rising Star in International Education Award that recognizes up and coming talent and tomorrow’s leaders in International Education.
• Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver Campus was awarded the Excellence in International Education Marketing Award for success in BC’s education export sector.
• Sandra Prentice of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) won the International Education Distinguished Leadership Award, recognizing an educator or community member whose determined leadership will have a lasting effect on BC’s sector.
• Alvis Tsui of Full Student Services (FSS) won the Friend of BCCIE Award, for his significant contributions in support of International Education in British Columbia
• Jim Clark of Canadian College of English Language, Canadian College and Smrt English was honoured with the International Education Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his long-term contributions and commitment to the sector. 

Additional background

BCCIE is a provincial Crown Corporation committed to promoting the International Education interests of the province of British Columbia’s public and independent K-12, public and private post-secondary and language schools. Through consultation and liaison with the provincial government, the direction of the Board, and broad engagement with the diversity of sectors engaged in International Education, we support our mission through three core service areas: Internationalization, Market Support and Communication, and Professional Development.   

International Education continues to realize significant benefits for British Columbians. In addition to the social benefits of encouraging a two-way flow of students, the sector also brings economic gains: In 2013/14 International Education services created over 27,500 jobs and contributed over 2.6 billion dollars to the provincial economy.

For more information: 

Chantal Moore, Manager, Communications
BC Council for International Education
Email: cmoore@bccie.bc.ca
Office: 1.604.637.6755 
Website: bccie.bc.ca