Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO, Polytechnics Canada
Dr. Alan Davis, President and Vice-Chancellor / ex-officio, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Lekeyten, KPU Elder in Residence, Kwantlen First Nation

Joseph E. Aoun, President, Northeastern University

A1. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

Vision to Reality: Transforming the Productivity and Competitiveness of Industry

Presenters

Jelena Bajic, Director, Research Operations
Glenn Feltham, President, NAIT
Sue Fitzsimmons, Vice President Academic, Health Sciences & Community Services
Brian Pardell, Associate Vice President, ConEd & Workforce Development

Canada is falling behind, lagging much of the world in productivity and innovation. Since 1962, NAIT has worked directly with industry to prepare the workforce that drives economic prosperity. That work continues to be at our core. At the same time, as one of Canada’s largest polytechnics, we have an important role to play in helping companies innovate and evolve to become more competitive and successful.

In this engaging presentation, NAIT shared their ongoing journey to identify how best to support industry partners who have a deep desire to become more productive, and ultimately more competitive. Canada needs the companies within its advanced industries to evolve, compete and succeed, over and over again. NAIT and its Productivity and Innovation Centre are on a journey to help ensure that happens and shared this journey with others by learning from attendees’ questions and insights.

Click here to view the presentation.

---

A2. George Brown College

Gaming as a Form of Experiential Learning

Presenters

Deb Bonfield, Project Lead, Centre for Community Services & Health Sciences
Pamela Gauci, Faculty Lead, Centre for Community Services & Health Sciences
Dario Guescini, Director, Work Integrated Learning
Jackie Tan, Senior Manager, Divisional Operations & Strategic Direction, Centre for Community Services & Health Sciences
Apostolo Zeno, Project Lead, Centre for Arts, Design & Information Technology

George Brown College students, in collaboration with industry partners Baycrest Health Sciences and Microsoft, worked with experts to imagine, design, create, validate and employ simulated field experience models. Under close supervision of George Brown’s faculty from two academic divisions, students converted the field placement experience in long-term care into a simulation gaming solution. Upon completion of this initial pilot, George Brown College will begin to integrate the game in several programs in our Centre for Community Services and Health Sciences. Students worked collaboratively to develop a unique digital experiential learning opportunity.

This session explored:

• a cross-divisional partnership,
• a shared journey in the creation and development of a highly interactive and immersive gaming experience, and
• the integration of the game into curriculum to prepare students for the workplace.

Click here to view the presentation.

---

A3. Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

Teaching and Research Farm Walking Tour

Presenters

Dr. Rebecca Harbut, Chair, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

Change from the ground up! Attendees joined a walking tour of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s 8.1-hectare Organic Research Farm, located steps away from KPU’s Richmond campus. Attendees observed how the farm provided growers, researchers and students the ability to observe new technologies being tested and participate in workshops highlighting research results.

While on the Farm, attendees visited the KPU Seed Lab that allows seed growers to carry out quality control on their seed and use the data to better inform growing practices. Attendees also learned how research outcomes advance organic production practices, develop better crops, produce high-quality seed for B.C. growers and expand the number of workers trained in organic seed and crop production systems.

This session took place during the Annual Showcase event in groups of 15. 

Panel 1: Fanshawe College

International Partnerships – Structures and Perspectives

Panelists

Dan Douglas, Dean, Centre for Research & Innovation, Fanshawe College
Ray Hoemsen, Executive Director, Research Partnerships & Innovation, Red River College
Darren Lawless, Dean, Applied Research & Innovation, Humber College

International research partnerships can take many forms. From industry collaborations to sponsored projects and research exchanges, the opportunity to leverage global expertise, build global networks and enhance student skill development is being undertaken at polytechnics, colleges and institutes across Canada. This panel discussion explored the experiences and models used at Red River, Humber and Fanshawe Colleges.

---

Panel 2: Polytechnics Canada

Disruption in Delivery: How Educators and Employers are Preparing the Workforce of the Future

Moderator

Laurie Rancourt, Senior Vice President, Academic, Humber College

Panelists

Salvador Ferreras, Provost and Vice President Academic, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Tom Roemer, Vice President, Academic, BCIT
Juanita Wattam-Simeon, Director, Academic Quality, George Brown College

The changing nature of work, driven in part by the emergence of disruptive technology, is putting pressure on labour markets as employers attempt to keep pace with change. Ensuring that we have a future-proof talent pipeline awaiting employers, and that workers can up-skill as time goes on, will require new approaches to education and training.

Today’s labour markets place a premium on speed and on skills. This panel explored innovations in how credentials are delivered and how skills and competencies are assessed and articulated. The panel also discussed micro-credentials, e-portfolios and competency-based admissions and hiring.

B1. Red River College

The Science of Early Child Development – Lessons in Mobilizing Research into Action… Around the World and Back Again

Presenters

Jan Sanderson, Research Chair, Health Sciences & Community Services

‘The Science of Early Child Development’ tells the story of how a challenge from a brilliant (and rather grumpy) Canadian scientist sent Red River College on a developmental journey around the world to ensure that the emerging science of early child development is accessible and relevant to those who need it most … in classrooms and conference centres, urban offices and village squares, as well as in your living room and in your pocket.

Click here to view the presentation.

---

B2. Sheridan College

Breaking the Mold in Public Safety Education

Presenters

Paul Hommersen, Professor
Karen Lints, Librarian

“The most dangerous phrase in our language is – We’ve always done it this way.” Grace Hopper.

The pace of change in our world is unprecedented, and Sheridan College looked to break the mold on how public safety education had been done when it came to creating community safety. This included how we perceive community safety, how students could learn to leave a mark and even how they access knowledge. In this presentation, we discussed the importance of interdisciplinary and inter- professional approaches, and how a zero-textbook approach can facilitate student learning and adaptability.

Click here to view the presentation.

C1. Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Training Across Realities

Presenters

Russell Foubert, Professor, School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology
Justin St-Maurice, Professor

Industries of all types are racing to adopt augmented and virtual reality technologies to enhance workplace outcomes. Conestoga College has recognized the disruptive potential of this technology and has embraced it through the creation of its Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab (VARLab).

During the ‘Training Across Realities’ presentation, the VARLab team explored case studies in applied research and curricula, and learned how the capabilities being developed from student talent are being fed back into classroom learning. We offered several VR stations where attendees investigated and tried out our in-house VR Training demos!

Click here to view the presentation.

---

C2. British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

Advanced Placement and Prior Learning: Disrupting the Norm in Prior Learning Recognition

Presenters

Sonia Dhaliwal, APPL Analyst
Kevin Wainwright, Director, SITE Centre

This session showcased BCIT’s SITE Centre’s disruptive approach to recognizing prior learning. BCIT uses an advanced placement and prior learning (APPL) approach to place mature students with various backgrounds at the appropriate post-secondary level.

Through this presentation, delegates learned how BCIT has collaborated and shared innovative assessment practices with post-secondary institutes across Canada through the National Advanced Placement and Prior Learning (N-APPL) Program.

---

C3. Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

Teaching and Research Farm Walking Tour

Presenters

Dr. Rebecca Harbut, Chair, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

Change from the ground up! Attendees joined a walking tour of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s 8.1-hectare Organic Research Farm, located steps away from KPU’s Richmond campus. Attendees observed how the farm provided growers, researchers and students the ability to observe new technologies being tested and participate in workshops highlighting research results.

While on the Farm, attendees visited the KPU Seed Lab that allows seed growers to carry out quality control on their seed and use the data to better inform growing practices. Attendees also learned how research outcomes advance organic production practices, develop better crops, produce high-quality seed for B.C. growers and expand the number of workers trained in organic seed and crop production systems.

This session took place during the Annual Showcase event in groups of 15. 

Thank you Technology Professionals Canada for your generous partnership!

Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO, Polytechnics Canada

D1. Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Addressing Canada’s Competitiveness – Humber’s New Approach to Partnering with Industry

Presenters

Dr. Ginger Grant, Associate Dean Applied Research & Innovation
Dr. Darren Lawless, Dean Applied Research & Innovation

Technology is changing at an unprecedented rate, leaving industry struggling to not only adapt, but to maintain a workforce of skilled, innovation-ready talent capable of continuous progress. Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often don’t have the in-house knowledge needed to develop and implement technology adoption strategies.

In April 2019, Humber launched the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation (Barrett CTI). The Barrett CTI provides valuable space for advanced, industry-leading equipment and applied research facilities designed to connect industry and community partners with teams of Humber students, expert faculty and technologists to help them innovate, improve productivity and scale up. This session introduced Humber’s concept and highlighted work being done in the Barrett CTI in combination with AR/VR demonstrations and facilitated small-group conversations.

---

D2. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)

Disrupting Curriculum Development, and the Institution by Doing So

Presenters

Brad Donaldson, Vice President Academic
Steven Vander Meulen, Director, Centre for Applied Education Innovation

In a world where technology is pervading every industry at an increasingly rapid rate, the ability to keep pace with industry skill needs is becoming increasingly difficult. The challenge is, how do we consistently provide students with the needed skills and competencies? To meet that challenge, SAIT has taken a significant step to regenerating its approach to curriculum development and ownership.

This presentation described the basis and means by which a New Product Development framework is being built and deployed. It discussed the successes to date but also the implications, challenges and learnings that tearing apart and rebuilding core processes has on the culture of an organization.

Click here to view the presentation.

E1. Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Disrupting the Status Quo: Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Academic Model

Presenters

Dr. Barb Gustafson, Director, Learner Pathways

In 2014, Saskatchewan Polytechnic set out to create a vision for program delivery that would meet the needs of industry and students well into the future while building on existing strengths. Through a highly collaborative process, the Academic Model was created with more than 100 commitments to changing the status quo.

Since 2016, the implementation of the Model has moved Saskatchewan Polytechnic forward as a polytechnic: adding employability skills, work-integrated learning, applied research and Indigenization to curriculum, as well as making learning more flexible for students and reinforcing quality assurance in program design. However, disruption comes with some discomfort, and this presentation will share the lessons learned about change management and communication along the way.

Click here to view the presentation.

---

E2. Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology

The AC Way – A Disruptive Approach to Transforming the Institution

Presenters

Claude Brulé, Senior Vice President Academic
Doug Wotherspoon, Vice President, Innovation & Strategy

Informed by continuous improvement frameworks used at Toyota, ThedaCare and health care providers across Canada, this interactive session introduced attendees to lean management and showcased how Algonquin has deployed its unique interpretation to deliver on its commitment to personalized learning, called the AC Way.

Attendees learned first-hand how daily huddles, visual management, scientific problem solving and respect for people are combined to inspire innovative thinking and drive employee engagement. Participants walked away with clear ideas on how to use their unique corporate culture to create an army of problem- solvers, critical thinkers and disruptors.

---

E3. Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

Teaching and Research Farm Walking Tour

Presenters

Dr. Rebecca Harbut, Chair, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

Change from the ground up! Attendees joined a walking tour of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s 8.1-hectare Organic Research Farm, located steps away from KPU’s Richmond campus. Attendees observed how the farm provided growers, researchers and students the ability to observe new technologies being tested and participate in workshops highlighting research results.

While on the Farm, attendees visited the KPU Seed Lab that allows seed growers to carry out quality control on their seed and use the data to better inform growing practices. Attendees also learned how research outcomes advance organic production practices, develop better crops, produce high-quality seed for B.C. growers and expand the number of workers trained in organic seed and crop production systems.

This session took place during the Annual Showcase event in groups of 15. 

Ryan Craig, Co-Founder & Managing Director, University Ventures

Click here to view the presentation.

Dr. Christopher Whitaker, President & CEO, Humber College; Chair, Polytechnics Canada
Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO, Polytechnics Canada