An interview with Brian Tamblyn, President, Georgian College
Q. What are some of the most popular programs at Georgian College?
A. We just got an applied degree where the minister announced the introduction of 12 applied degrees. The one we got is a four-year degree in automotive management. The program we offer now is a three-year diploma in auto marketing. It's the only program of its kind in Canada, and we get students from across the country and internationally as well. The new one will be starting in September 2003.
We are also strong in police foundations, offered through our Justice and Public Safety Institute. Policing and law and security are very strong.
We are also recognized in tourism and hospitality, and we have a joint nursing program with York University. We're situated next to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. Nursing has always been a strong area for us.
Q. What kind of workplace experience can a Georgian student get?
A. All of our programs offer work experience. Approximately 70% of the programs are co-op in nature -- in fact, we're the third largest college in Canada for co-op. As a result of that, over the last two years, we've had the highest graduate employment rate in the province. We deal with some 30,000 employers, so we have quite a network of employers we work with.
Q. What does the introduction of applied degrees mean to the school?
A. Applied degrees are basically driven by industry. Internationally, the credential of choice is a degree. For example, in the automotive area, there are companies like Ford and other international companies that are saying 'We love your program, but we really want the grads to come out with a degree.'
For our grads in auto management, they can go directly into MBA programs. That's an important pathway we want to have available for all of our graduates.
Up until now, half of our graduates would go to the US to do their fourth year in automotive marketing, so that was a real drain out of the province. Now that we have the four-year degree, they will stay in Ontario and complete their degree here. It's good for employers, and for students because they don't have to leave home, and for the community at large.
Q. What makes Georgian College stand out from other schools?
A. We tend to be a little more niche than some of the colleges. We have a relatively unique program in optician studies, dialysis, and we have one in Owen Sound dealing with Great Lake shipping around navigation and engineering.
We've got an aviation management program, which is unique in the province.
Q. What about the school makes you most proud?
A. Our graduate employment rate is consistently at the top, and that is a key measure for our success. We were recently selected for the second year in a row as one of Canada's top 100 employers, from 44,000 employers they looked at, in the publication Canada's Top 100 Employers (Media Corp.). We're the only college in Canada that has that distinction.
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