Vancouver is even closer to unlocking the possibilities to education as Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL) is slated to commence operations at its Vancouver Centre. The Grand Opening celebration, which also recognizes TRU’s 40th Anniversary, will be held on November 3 from 4 – 6pm in the new office, located at 1030 West Georgia Street, Office 233.

Construction of the office was completed in early September and is now ready for OL Faculty Members and students to utilize. Judith Murray, Vice President, TRU-OL, explained that the Administration always intended to have a Vancouver presence for Open Learning in order to help fulfill its mandate to provide open and distance education to the province of British Columbia.

"The majority of our students and the majority of the Open Learning Faculty reside in the lower mainland," Murray said. "The presence is important to keep TRU-OL top of mind for prospective students from the lower mainland and to best serve the needs of our Open Learning Faculty Members."

The new office will have a limited complement of staff, according to Murray, who will be overseeing the facility which will be used for exam purposes as well as a space for OL staff and OL Faculty Members to conduct meetings and training. TRU-OL’s new Vancouver-based office will also provide information and serve the needs of interested public looking for information regarding their options for online and distance education.