Today's News

Burnaby, BC, September 29, 2022--(T-Net)--Simon Fraser University announced that it's SFU Surrey campus is celebrating 20 years in September, marking its growth from a betaspace in Surrey Place Mall (now Central City Mall) to an expanded campus embedded in downtown Surrey.

In 2002, SFU's Surrey Campus opened its doors, in a space formerly occupied by the Technical University of British Columbia (TechBC), with more than 500 students studying for degrees in unique, tech-focused programs.

In 2006, a new campus facility designed by the late Bing Thom opened on top of the mall which helped to revitalize Surrey's downtown and catalyze its growth and development. A second campus building—also designed by Thom—opened in 2019.

Over the past two decades, the need for post-secondary education south of the Fraser River has led to steady enrolment growth at SFU's Surrey campus, resulting in new programs and schools in Mechatronic Systems Engineering and Sustainable Energy Engineering.

Together with the School of Interactive Arts and Technology and programs from business to education, from science to the humanities, SFU Surrey has become a higher education destination of choice for students from all over the world.

"As we look back, we also look forward to the next 20 years. New pathways will lead to future skill development and career opportunities, including the recent announcements of a Centre for Agri-tech Innovation and Quantum Algorithm institute, and planning for a medical school in partnership with Fraser Health and the First Nations Health Authority" said the university in a release.

SFU says its deep partnerships with the City of Surrey, Fraser Health and business sector have helped seed a vibrant, dynamic and growing health technology district in Surrey's downtown core and beyond. These partnerships have led to targeted solutions to health care such as the ImageTech, eBrain and WearTech Labs.

Since its inception nearly 15 years ago, SFU's Coast Capital Venture Connection, an entrepreneurship incubator, has supported more than 13,500 students across the university.

"Twenty years after our founding, SFU Surrey is woven deeply into the fabric of this community," says SFU Surrey Campus Executive Director, Stephen Dooley. "This extraordinary story began with a vision to redevelop the Central City Mall and has resulted in a vibrant and growing urban campus that is transforming the educational, social and economic landscape. Integral to our success has been the campus's Surrey Advisory Committee - a special thank you for their support and guidance over the years."

The campus will celebrate 20 years of teaching, research and community engagement in Surrey, including a campus open house on October 27.