A special celebration was held today at Surrey City Hall to announce that Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) will open a new centre for excellence in professional development, business and innovation at 3 Civic Plaza in Surrey City Centre. This new campus will be called “KPU Civic Plaza”.

3 Civic Plaza residential buyers and invited guests mingled with future university students at KPU’s public announcement, enjoying the festivities and learning more about what the new campus will offer.

Project developer, Century Group, is thrilled to welcome Kwantlen Polytechnic University to 3 Civic Plaza, which will be Surrey’s tallest and most iconic tower offering luxury residences, a Marriott Autograph Collection® hotel, retail and commercial offices, as well as a grand lobby which will serve as an upscale social hub for the area. Located at Surrey Central SkyTrain station, 3 Civic Plaza offers the only residences that also form part of Surrey’s new upper University District which includes Simon Fraser University and soon, Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

"KPU is a perfect fit with 3 Civic Plaza. I can already imagine the students adding to the sense of community. KPU will be at centre ice of the new city centre,” said Sean Hodgins, President of Century Group.

Opening in 2016, KPU Civic Plaza will deliver professional studies, upper-level business courses, and post-graduate credentials to support Surrey City Centre’s growing workforce of 17,500 and population of over 28,000. Community-oriented, short-term and professional development programming will run throughout the year including weekday evenings and weekends. Accommodating a minimum of three floors and 30,000 square feet, Surrey’s largest and longest-serving university will bring together 1,600 students right next to the city’s rapid transit services.

Dr. Alan Davis, President and Vice-Chancellor of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, announced that KPU plans to revitalize post-secondary education offerings in Surrey City Centre with a host of programs geared towards business professionals.

“Kwantlen Polytechnic University is Surrey’s university, and KPU’s ambitious, innovative plan for the city’s Civic Plaza demonstrates no less. By offering post-secondary education in the heart of the civic precinct ensures we increase accessibility for students across the region,” said Davis. “KPU Civic Plaza will allow our students additional opportunities for practical experiences, as well as a competitive advantage in the changing landscapes of both post-secondary education, and the City of Surrey.”

The new KPU campus is expected to incorporate a reception and exhibition area, a dialogue space for community engagement, studio and broadcast area, as well as seminar rooms and classrooms equipped with leading-edge technology infrastructure.

Proposed programs include graduate diplomas and certificates in: strategic planning, media and communications, public relations, emerging markets analysis, product development, management sciences, accounting, human resource management, financial analysis, specific business applications, and professional standards.

“With one-third of Surrey’s population under the age of 19, the new KPU Civic Plaza is an excellent example in how the City of Surrey is reaching out to meet the needs of our future leaders,” said Mayor Dianne Watts. “Once complete, the KPU Civic Plaza will begin by bringing more than 1,600 students each year into our downtown core, which falls in line with the City’s vision for the area. I like to welcome the students and staff of Kwantlen Polytechnic University to the heart Surrey City Centre.”

For more information about 3 Civic Plaza, visit the website www.3CivicPlaza.ca or stop by the presentation centre, located at 10277 King George Boulevard, weekdays from 1-5pm (closed Fridays) and weekends from 12 -5pm. To learn more about KPU Civic Plaza, visit: kpu.ca/civicplaza.