A roadmap for change
We have always had a commitment to future-proof applied education. What is different in this plan is an explicit acknowledgement of the urgent need for renewal, coupled with the existence of an evidence-informed roadmap for change in our first Education Plan. These initiatives build directly from that plan.
Renewal in flexible studies
Part-time Studies is the fastest growing category of BCIT’s broad portfolio of courses. This reflects a rising demand for dynamic, accessible, and modular education—particularly for professional practice. As a result, our peer institutions have begun to target this field to increase their market share. Building from our foundation of offerings, however, we have an opportunity—through the Part-time Studies Review—to recalibrate our operating model and better accommodate the diversity of learners and instructors, as well as to propel growth. We will strengthen support for part-time faculty. We will introduce new competency-based courses that promote reskilling and resonate with a technologically advanced society. We will create pathways for learner progression and introduce open multidisciplinary credentials that reward the general pursuit of knowledge. And we will facilitate non-traditional entry through alternative mechanisms that recognize prior learning in direct support of professional development among our industry partners.
Interdisciplinary and integrative learning
The road to the establishment of the Education Plan highlighted the importance of learning that bridges disciplines, connects technical and soft skills, and links theory with practice, and education with research. Confirmed as imperatives through our employer survey, these approaches equip our students for success and mobility in the workplace. Our focus will be on innovation that tests new content and learning modalities. We will promote curriculum renewal to help ensure program quality and currency. We will inform curriculum development with our understanding of shifting skill requirements and global competences. We will introduce interdisciplinary offerings that respond to emerging professions. We will create opportunities for work-integrated learning and custom training to strengthen learner outcomes and industry practice. And we will channel applied research towards societal challenges in which we are positioned to make a real difference, effectively embedding these activities to enrich the education experience.
Augmented and sustainable environments
Learning environments and communities, both physical and virtual, are key enablers of excellence in education. They must evolve in ways that uphold BCIT’s commitment to both quality and sustainability. Today, our campuses and many of our facilities need renewal, student housing is a pressing requirement, and our digital learning infrastructure leaves much room for improvement. We will accelerate plans for critical facilities upgrades at all campuses and, underpinned by the Inspire campaign, move forward systematically with our plans for the transformation of the Burnaby campus. At the same time, we will clarify our environmental impact targets and define our priorities for sustainable development and operations, including in student housing communities on and near our campuses. We will review how we use space across BCIT and seek to create new hubs for discourse and exchange. In addition, we will explore—and implement thoughtfully—technologies that enhance the quality, accessibility, and experience of education at BCIT, including simulation and, distributed and hybrid learning, as well as virtual, augmented, and mixed realities.