I am sharing an update on the Strategic Plan deliverable I’m leading, which falls under our commitment to future-proof applied education and the initiative for renewal in flexible studies.
We continue our work to reimagine flexible studies at BCIT by extending offerings and credential models to facilitate reskilling and improve learner access. While we continue to implement recommendations arising from the review of our Part-time Studies (PTS) operations, we are also connecting with industry on their needs as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. There is a lot of work underway to support and grow our flexible learning opportunities.
Over the past several months, we have developed a framework to support enhanced agile and work integrated learning. As part of that framework, we hired Eric Fry as Associate Dean to lead the area and moved our Centre for Workplace Education and PTS Operations Administrator teams to join Eric within the academic portfolio. Under the umbrella of this framework, we are supporting the development and operationalization of several microcredentials as well as the integration of various work-integrated learning and prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) across our program and course offerings.
Work is actively underway to enhance the support systems for our PTS operations, including development of functionality for pre-requisite and English language proficiency checks. We are also embarking on a pilot to build an admissions process for students wishing to complete their credentials through the PTS delivery mode.
As we head into the 2021/22 academic year, we will be working very closely with Schools and program areas to continue to build on the components of the agile and work-integrated learning framework in ways that are relevant to industry needs. This is an exciting time for flexible learning in British Columbia and, through this strategic initiative, BCIT continues to be at the leading edge.
Thank you,
Jennifer Figner
Associate Vice President, Academic Operations, Academic
Commitment: Future-proof applied education
Initiative: Renewal in flexible studies
Deliverable: Part-time Studies (PTS) alignment
Deliverable lead: Jennifer Figner, Associate Vice President, Academic Operations, Academic