University of Calgary

The University of Calgary has over 28,000 full and part-time students, including 900 international students from 87 countries, enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. The University has 16 faculties, 53 departments, and offers over 83 undergraduate courses. In 2003/04, the University graduated over 6,000 students from bachelor, masters and doctorate programs.

The University of Calgary prides itself in being a comprehensive research university, and is one of Canada's top seven research universities. The University belongs to 17 Networks of Centres of Excellence, and is home to 30 research institutes and centres. The University has set a target to be among the top five research universities in Canada by 2010. The University has over 1,900 full-time equivalent teaching and research faculty, as well as over 2,500 full-time equivalent support staff, making it Calgary's fourth largest employer.

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Mount Royal College

Established in 1910, Mount Royal College is a public college serving approximately 13,000 students in over 60 certificate, diploma, university transfer, and applied degree programs. In 2003/04, Mount Royal graduated approximately 2,000 students from its certificate, diploma and applied degree programs in such areas as business, communications, health and community studies, and science and technology.

Mount Royal College is recognized for its liberal arts programming and is more academically oriented than many other comparable colleges in Canada. Through the Mount Royal College Conservatory, more than 4,000 students annually receive instruction each year in credit and non-credit programs in the arts. Private lessons in music, theatre, and speech are also provided through the Conservatory.

Mount Royal College offers a number of university transfer programs and refers to itself as "Canada's premier undergraduate college". Mount Royal is seeking a mandate change at this time to allow it to gain university status within Alberta's post-secondary system.

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SAIT Polytechnic (SAIT)

SAIT is Canada’s premier polytechnic. It has more than 76,000 registrants enrolled in upgrading, skills training, certificate, diploma, apprenticeship, and applied degree programs. SAIT also offers over 1,900 continuing education and customized business and industry courses.

SAIT supports the development of the regional and provincial workforce and economy by providing hands-on training and partnering with business in the areas of program development and applied research. Since the 1990s, SAIT has launched 11 world-class Centres of Technology Development.

Employers are actively engaged in the development of SAIT's instructional programs.

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Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD)

ACAD is one of only four accredited, public art and design colleges in Canada, and is the only post-secondary institution in the prairie provinces devoted exclusively to advanced education, practice, and research in visual culture, design, associated fields, and emergent fields.

ACAD has over 1,300 full and part-time students enrolled in a variety of programs including bachelor programs in the areas of Fine Arts, Design, Media Arts and Digital Technologies. ACAD distinguishes itself from many other institutions by providing a studio-based experience for students in these programs.

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Bow Valley College

Bow Valley College provides its over 10,000 full and part-time students with highly focused career-oriented training to help students get into the workforce quickly. The College offers ESL, academic upgrading, and career certificate and diploma programs in business, accounting, health care, administration, computers, and a number of community-oriented subject areas (i.e., early childhood, education assistant, etc.).

Bow Valley College distinguishes itself by providing short-term, focused training in a supportive environment. In 2004, the College was recognized by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce with an award for medium-sized businesses for its leadership in adult education. Bow Valley is also the co-developer, and now sole owner, of the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), Canada's leading workplace essential skills assessment tool.

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