Applied research and partnerships to advance digital transformation and sustainability

I am sharing an update on the Strategic Plan deliverable I’m leading, which falls under our commitment to globally relevant connections and the initiative for new models of collaboration.

Supported by our Learning & Teaching Framework, BCIT holds a strong position with respect to remote and e-learning. Over the last year, we developed a large library of online courses and materials, which could potentially form the foundation for a global presence. Under the term “Global Online BCIT (GO BCIT),” we are exploring ways to bring BCIT to an international audience. Given the challenges for faculty and staff posed by the current pandemic, however, we do this in a controlled and limited fashion, through pilots and case studies. We intend to use that anecdotal knowledge towards building a workable, competitive, and resilient model.

One of our pilot projects is a collaboration with an emerging training provider in South Africa. This new Institution aims to combat unemployment among African youth through applied education towards a modern “Digital Africa.” Through this portal, BCIT offers a set of microcredentials focusing on digital transformation and contemporary business practices. The pilot is set to start in late January, with BCIT faculty providing online training and support.

This is a “global relevant connection” for many reasons:

• It allows us to pilot remote learning in the far reaches of the world – in a demarcated and controlled space. As the South African partner grows, so will the level of our engagement.
• It provides an entry point into Southern Africa. With a local partner, we will be able to have a presence on the world’s youngest continent and among its 1.2 billion people.
• It offers an opportunity to apply our unique education model towards economic improvement and empowerment of underprivileged people.

I hope to bring an early report of the pilot to an Academic Townhall in the near future.

Thank you,

Commitment: Globally relevant connections
Initiative: New models of collaboration
Deliverable: Applied research and partnerships to advance digital transformation and sustainability
Deliverable lead: Dr. Tom Roemer, Vice President, Academic