Enrolment is up at the First Nations University of Canada as it begins a new school year.

FNUniv president Doyle Anderson notes the institution has been struggling since 2010, when it temporarily lost federal and provincial funding.

But he says the process of rebuilding is moving faster than earlier predictions:

“Our numbers are up significantly this year.  We’re trending very well in a positive direction.  Certain areas, like business, enrolments are up 25%.”

During its peak in 2005, FNUniv had an enrolment of 1,150 students — but that dwindled to about 500 after the institution lost its funding and came close to closing in 2010.

Anderson says, this year, enrolment is at more than 600.

However, Anderson predicts that the number will be well over 1,100 within a few years.