November 2009

Transfer Update - Simon Fraser University Co-Admission Agreement

The details of an agreement with Simon Fraser University were recently announced jointly by Douglas College and by Simon Fraser University. Broadly, the agreement allows students to be admitted to SFU in Humanities and Social Sciences and simultaneously to be admitted to Douglas College. Effectively, this co-admission program allows qualifying students to take courses from either institution at any time in their degree pathway. Previous to this, students could complete up to 60 credits of University Transfer at Douglas College and then apply for SFU admission. Now, qualifying students can move freely between Douglas College and SFU in their program and take courses at any time in their 4 years of study at either institution. This effectively re-defines transfer for those students and makes learning more accessible and will make learner pathways more flexible than previously. For January 2010, an initial pilot of at least 15 students is being implemented with full implementation scheduled for September 2010. In addition, discussions are ongoing to expand the program beyond Humanities and Social Sciences and into other discipline groupings.

As a learner-centred and access-based learner pathway institution, this initiative is highly consistent with the mandate of Douglas College and represents significant innovation on the part of both Douglas College and SFU. It will make transfer even more seamless and transparent than it is now and to an established University. The beneficiaries will be our students who will be even more confident that registration at Douglas College will yield a pathway to a major University. The agreement was presented at a recent British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT) conference on degree partnerships and the discussion generated much excitement. Indeed, Douglas College and Simon Fraser University are leaders in the province and nationally on this initiative. Congratulations are in order to Kathy Denton and the many, many others involved in this initiative.

International Update - China Programs

In October, Dr. Guangwei Ouyang and I visited our partners in China with the express purpose of demonstrating a continued commitment to international partnerships and to distribute bursaries to over 100 students in the HIST program. Three institutions visited were as follows:

SAI (Shanghai) with whom we have a research and visiting scholar partnership. This was discussed and avenues for further cooperation were explored. For example, plans are currently underway for Douglas College to host an international conference in late spring of 2010 in partnership with our SAI colleagues.

SIFT (Shanghai) with whom we have a co-teaching agreement to deliver a Douglas degree in Finance and Accounting. This degree was discussed and SIFT (which also has a new President) is currently in strategic planning – as is Douglas College. Avenues for further joint cooperation were discussed and SIFT reports that the co-teaching approach pioneered in the Douglas-SIFT arrangement has been widely talked about as a potential model for cooperation in other programs in China.

HIST (Harbin) with whom we also have a co-teaching agreement to deliver a Douglas College degree in Finance and Accounting. The degree was discussed and potential improvements noted. These included English language proficiency, faculty and student exchanges, and potential avenues for research collaboration. Again, the Douglas College co-teaching program was heralded as a model of both capacity building and of international cooperation.

Taken together (or separately), our China partners are highly satisfied with the quality of educational and professional opportunities that our partnerships are affording. They remain impressed with our joint efforts and are continuing to explore (as are we) avenues for expansion in a timely and prudent fashion. I would like to congratulate Robert Buller and Guangwei Ouyang and their teams for the impressive efforts in program delivery and CFCS for their excellent work on research partnerships. As China continues to emerge both as a global leader and as a source of immigration to Canada, partnerships such as this are important to Douglas College. Indeed, given that Douglas College is situated in one of the most culturally diverse regions of Canada and is likely one of the more diverse Colleges in Canada, increasingly, it would appear that students can come to Douglas College to experience the world. Our other partnerships and field schools further demonstrate this potential.

Visiting Dignitaries - The Honourable Moira Stilwell (Almd) and His Excellency, Vice President of Uganda, Professor Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya

The Honourable Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development visited Douglas College (David Lam Campus) on October 23. This visit included a brief tour and a meeting with Board Chair Paul Wates and with the Senior Management Team. She was accompanied by two local MLA’s, the Honourable Iain Black and Mr. Douglas Horne, as well as by Ministerial officials. Following a tour conducted by Silvia Wilson of various elements and facilities in Health Sciences, and a brief discussion with students, she visited with The Training Group and engaged with two classes – one in the Career Builder Program and the other in the Self Employment Program where she also engaged with students. The message received was that Douglas College is involved across most of the spectrum of the mandate of her Ministry and that we are responding to the student, community, and labour market needs of British Columbia. That Douglas College remains committed not only to this but also to internationalization was evident to Minister Stilwell as she also had the opportunity to meet and hear from His Excellency, Vice President of Uganda, Professor Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya, as well as from Bob Shebib and students involved in the Uganda Project.

\During the visit, His Excellency, Vice President of Uganda, was also engaged with representatives of the College including Board Chair Paul Wates, the Senior Management Team, representatives from the Self Employment Program, Bob Shebib, and students from the Uganda Project. It would appear this visit made an impression on His Excellency. Douglas College is following up with His Excellency in a number of ways related both to The Training Group and to broadening and deepening our partnerships initiated through the Uganda Project.

I would like to thank all involved with the difficult and challenging job of ensuring that these visits were handled smoothly. It is important to show that Douglas College is serious about our partnerships and our reputation for excellence in post-secondary education and training and this was done in a confident and thoroughly professional manner throughout these visits.

Scholarly Activity Update

Douglas College continues to recognize the importance of scholarly activity to currency and vibrancy of our instructional staff. As such, we are completing the final steps of National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) certification, applying for Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) certification, and supporting research and scholarly activity to the extent possible from limited internal funds. This is consistent with priority areas for the Colleges at the national level through the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC).

In particular, the Vice President’s Academic Council (VPAC) has approved the Scholarly Activity Fund (SAF) Adjudication Committee’s recommendations to fund 16 proposals for research and scholarly activity. The funds awarded range from $1300 to $3000. Since the first call for proposals in October 2004, 140 projects (including those in the current year) involving 160 faculty members have been supported. Many of these projects have arisen from, or resulted in, publications. These knowledge creation and dissemination activities are a lasting legacy of the College’s commitment to the Fund. Congratulations for successful proposals are in order for the following faculty:

• Lawrence Becker (Child, Family and Community Studies)
• John Carter (Language, Literature and Performing Arts)
• Heidi Currie (Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Gail Edwards (Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Kuros Gadareh (Science and Technology)
• Tanya Haye (Student Development and Language, Literature and Performing Arts )
• Maria Iaquinta (Student Development)
• Glenda Leznoff (Language, Literature and Performing Arts)
• Tad McIlwraith (Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Len Millis (Science and Technology)
• Charles Odoom (Commerce and Business)
• Patricia O’Hagan (Health Sciences)
• Jeff Schutts (Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Lois Schwarz (Science and Technology)
• Brian Storey (Science and Technology)
• Marni Westerman (Humanities and Social Sciences)

In addition to the standard SAF awards, VPAC also approved an award of one section of time release to Daniela Pacheva (Student Development) to support a study of the effects of supported education followed by supported employment for graduates with mental health issues. This is the sixth release the fund has been able to offer since the decision was made to offer sectional release for research activities last year.

Events at Douglas College - Demonstrating Commintment to Community

There are many events at Douglas College each month which can be reported on. Each of these demonstrates the degree of commitment of our Board and employees to Douglas College and to the rich and diverse communities we serve. Demonstrating a commitment to the community, while not all events are included below, this is a sampling of what has occurred in the past month.

Board Recognition Evening (November 5)

We recognized and celebrated the tremendous contributions made by Douglas College Board members who concluded their service this year: Cathie Gibson, Ann Kitching, Alysia MacGrotty, Matthew Steinbach, Andrew Taylor, Susan Witter (ex-officio).

Retirements from College (November 6)

The College honoured 24 retirees for their contributions to our organization, our students, and our reputation for excellence. Cumulatively, the retirees this year represent over 500 years of service to Douglas College and the students we serve - in the classroom, in facilities, in educational services, and in administration.

12th Annual Gala (October 23)

The 12th annual “A Class Act” raised close to $24,000 for student aid while showcasing students, the David Lam Campus and Douglas College Foundation. The competitive spirit of guests was on display during the live and silent auctions, as was the professionalism of our Hotel and Restaurant Management (HORM) students who co-hosted the event. The event attracted a range of TriCity business and community leaders who enjoyed mingling while tasting wines, beers, olives and olive oils, and chocolate, and sampling gourmet appetizers prepared by Chartwells.

Words for Africa (November 7)

More than 160 Scrabble fans packed the New Westminster Campus cafeteria on Nov. 7 to participate in a fundraiser for Africa. Words for Africa was co-hosted by Community Social Service Worker students working with Douglas College Foundation staff and the New Westminster Gogos (Stephen Lewis Foundation) and organized by the Douglas College Foundation.

Three federal MPs and a number of municipal politicians attended and were favourably impressed by the energy in the room. Each Scrabble player collected pledges in order to play and the event included a small live auction, a huge silent auction and door prizes. Players learned about the CSSW Uganda Project and met students who are going to Uganda in April for their practicums. The event raised thousands of dollars for the Douglas College Uganda Project as well as for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.