Media Release

For Immediate Release

October 14, 2008

Local, international students look to Saint Mary’s

More and more international and local students are choosing the global education offered by Saint Mary’s University.

The number of international students at Saint Mary’s increased by more than seven per cent in 2008, and the number of students from HRM also increased.

“Engaging local and international communities is an important part of our mission at Saint Mary’s, said Chuck Bridges, Vice President (Assoc.) External Affairs. “Our increase in local and international students demonstrates that students increasingly want a post-secondary education that will take them where they want to go, anywhere in the world.”

Fifteen per cent of the student population at Saint Mary’s is from abroad, representing more than 80 countries around the world. The University has alumni in 132 of the 192 countries recognized by the United Nations. 

“We’re pleased that local students are choosing Saint Mary’s and that our international programs are attracting attention,” said Bridges. “It’s a combination that offers all our students a unique opportunity to experience the world in one city block.”

The number of full-time and part-time undergraduate students declined slightly in 2008, but the University experienced a five per cent increase in graduate students. The number of students who transferred to Saint Mary’s from other universities increased by 1.7 per cent.

“The increase in graduate students choosing Saint Mary’s reflects well on the excellence of our research programs as well as the quality of our science and learning facilities,” said Bridges, noting the recent completion of the University’s $25-million Science Building, the construction now underway for the new Atrium and Global Learning Commons, and the start of functional planning for the Homburg Centre for Health and Wellness, all renewal projects designed to ensure Saint Mary’s continues to meet the post-secondary needs of global citizens today and in the future.

For more information, please visit the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) website: www.atlanticuniversities.ca

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For more information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca