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» Go to news mainLooking Back on a Year of Resilience and Growth
This past year was marked by challenges and transitions for the university, yet the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development persevered. Despite unforeseen setbacks, we forged new partnerships, expanded our program offerings, and enhanced existing programs to meet the evolving needs of our learners and the broader community. Let’s end the year by taking a moment to celebrate all that has been accomplished as a team, and faculty.
In 2024, we formed new partnerships and strengthened existing ones to expand our program offerings and break down educational barriers. We collaborated with Dalhousie's School of Health Administration to introduce two accessible online courses in Emergency Medical Services, enabling paramedics to start their academic journey and apply their credits toward a degree at their own pace. Additionally, our continued partnership with the Association of Certified Gaming Compliance Specialists (ACGCS) led to the launch of the Certificate in Gaming Leadership, a first-of-its-kind program addressing the growing needs of the casino and iGaming industry – an industry that generated $2.4 billion in revenue in 2024.
We have significantly revamped two of our key program offerings: Local Government and Fire Leadership. To address the evolving needs of this industry and in partnership with Association of Municipal Administrators Nova Scotia (AMANS), the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM), and the Association of Municipal Administrators New Brunswick (AMANB), we introduced two new certificates to our Local Government program, designed to provide municipal administrators and elected officials with a deeper understanding of local government operations. Additionally, we expanded our Fire Leadership program with 10 new and improved certificates, and now offer the flexibility to stack certificates to earn new leadership diplomas.
This year, we had the honor of co-hosting the Canadian Association of Police Educators (CAPE) Conference with the Halifax Regional Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This unique collaboration brought together professionals from across Canada to exchange best practices in law enforcement training and teaching. The conference, which focused on leadership in policing, was a perfect fit for us as the home of the Police Leadership program. Over three days, attendees enjoyed networking opportunities, engaging information sessions, and tours of Halifax's police facilities.
We also held a successful Open Dialogue Live event on EDIA in the Workplace, co-hosted with Dalhousie’s Advancement team and in conjunction with a workshop led by Camille Dundas, our partner and facilitator of the course, Foundations of DEI in the Workplace. Attendees of the Open Dialogue Live event engaged in thought-provoking discussions with our expert guests on inclusivity, positive psychology, and wellness. This panel was followed up by a workshop for key local organizations and stakeholders around DEI in the workplace. As Jeff Myers, our Director of Community Partnerships and Projects, noted, "I was privileged to collaborate with exceptionally talented speakers, panelists, and an extraordinary organizing team that included members from Dalhousie Advancement and Valeria Adriazola, Manager, Community Events. This event exemplifies OLCD's unwavering dedication to the importance of EDIA work, particularly in the face of opposition and resistance to these concepts. It also stands as a testament to the fruitful collaboration between OLCD and Advancement."
We made a significant move to expand the access to valuable professional development programs by launching our Certificate in Systems Engineering and Complex Project Management and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) courses to the public. The first course in the Systems Engineering certificate, previously offered exclusively to Irving Shipbuilding, is now open for enrolment by anyone seeking to advance their career in this critical field. By opening this certificate to the public, we aim to expand the talent pool, enhance career mobility, and upskill individuals and groups to meet the growing demand for system engineering expertise. The remaining three courses will be rolled out over the winter, spring and fall of next year. The public offering of our EHS courses will provide valuable safety training in industries that require specific safety training, including, WHIMIS, Laboratory and Fire Safety, Chemical Spill Response, Incident Investigation and many more.
We had the pleasure of celebrating the completion of the fifth cohort of both the Academic Leadership Certificate and the Shannex Excelling in Leadership Certificate programs. A special congratulations goes to three of our own colleagues, Udeni Amit, Erin Careless, and Jeff Myers, who successfully completed the Academic Leadership Certificate. This accomplishment highlights the significant role OLCD plays in fostering leadership development within the university. Additionally, Shannex's investment in the Excelling in Leadership Certificate program demonstrates a commitment to enhancing senior care in our region. We are proud to be associated with a company dedicated to such initiatives.
In our growing partnership with internal faculties, we were able to offer not one, but two custom cohorts in our Certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to the Faculty of Science here at Dalhousie. This further showcasing our ability to deliver innovative and customized training. By offering tailored EDI training, we are empowering faculty members to create a more equitable and diverse learning environment for all students.
We secured a partnership with the Center for Women in Business, through Mount Saint Vincent University. Through this agreement, students will have an RPL pathway for students coming into our program from the Center of Women in Business. This collaboration delivers on our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion by empowering women to pursue their educational goals. To round out our year for RPL, we signed a significant agreement with the Calgary Police Service (CPS). This agreement will provide advanced standing in our Certificate in Police Leadership through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program to those who have completed certain courses through CPS training. This partnership will offer substantial enrolment potential given they boast a department of 1,900 police officers. Our partnership with the Credit Union deepened this year, marked by advancements in assessment processes and seamless integrations between the Credit Union Institute of Canada and our programs. This collaboration has already yielded tangible results, including signed agreements and operational achievements, paving the way for future growth opportunities. Our Manager, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), James Martin, has been added as an RPL Ambassador, thanks to his work with the Council of Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and earned a place in the CAEL 50th Anniversary Q&A Series, a remarkable achievement for James, and has provided a huge boost in visibility and recognition for Dalhousie.
Despite unexpected challenges to international student enrolment policies, our English Language Studies (ELS) team has significantly expanded its international reach this year. A notable partnership with Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University in collaboration with Dalhousie's Agricultural campus has been established, focusing on teacher training and English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP). Additionally, ELS has forged new connections with two prestigious Japanese universities: Doshisha University and Niigata Prefecture University. To further support international students, ELS has launched a new University Bridging Program, offering English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and credit courses to help students transition smoothly into their academic programs. This expansion of international partnerships demonstrates our commitment to global engagement and cultural exchange, while also contributing to Dalhousie’s international reputation.
ELS's global impact extends to Latin America, with a new partnership with Pontificia Católica University of Colombia for the English Medium Certificate. Furthermore, ELS has embarked on a collaborative initiative with Areandina University, Colombia, training over 200 schoolteachers in English Medium Instruction (EMI). To promote internationalization and collaboration, ELS participated in the "English Mediated Global Classroom" initiative with three Latin American universities, fostering cross-cultural learning and curriculum development. In addition to these collaborations, ELS has been actively engaged in thought leadership within the ELS market, participating in various missions to China, Colombia, and through the Canadian Association of Language Development Organizations (CALDO). ELS's expansion into Latin America demonstrates our commitment to the development of English language education in international markets.
Our Faculty has a long-standing commitment to providing equitable access to higher education. Our University Access programming has served as a cornerstone of this commitment, offering vital programs such as University Preparation, the Transition Year Program, and Academic Refresher for academically dismissed students. These programs have consistently supported students in achieving their academic goals by providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and support to succeed at the university level. Furthermore, these programs have played a crucial role in breaking down barriers to education for many students, fostering a more inclusive and equitable learning environment."
We awarded an impressive 1,792 microcredentials in 2024, bringing the total to 5,772. We've also expanded our offerings with 9 new badges, covering a diverse range of subjects. Recognizing the evolving landscape, we transitioned to MyCreds, a Canadian platform enhancing credential management for learners. Furthermore, Dalhousie actively contributed to the development of the Nova Scotia Microcredentials Framework, solidifying our leadership in microlearning within the province.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the dedication and hard work of our team. Together, we have overcome challenges, embraced innovation, and made significant strides in advancing our mission of lifelong learning. Our partnerships with both internal and external organizations have expanded our reach and solidified the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development as a leading institution for continuous learning.
We look forward to further collaborations with Dalhousie faculties to support their team training needs and enhance student recruitment, retention, and success. We will continue to find new ways to enhance educational opportunities and remove barriers to learning. In the coming year, we will continue to provide exceptional learning opportunities and foster a vibrant and inclusive learning community.
Stay tuned for more exciting new developments as we strive to shape the future of continuous learning. We wish you a Happy Holiday and a New Year filled with health, happiness, and continued learning
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