DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP
Dr. Grant Allan, Associate VP, ResearchRobert Fleming, Associate VP, Learning
Kwantlen University CollegeBritish Columbia, Canada
WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY COLLEGE?
Kwantlen offers a new model for a university that develops credentials to meet the needs of regional and global employment markets.
We provide a unique opportunity to bridge certificate and diploma credentials with degrees.
Kwantlen is the best of both worlds – a university and a college.
KWANTLEN
A university college
Bachelor’s degrees 4 yearAssociate degrees 2 yearDiplomas 2 yearCertificates 1 year Citations time varies
CAMPUSES
Two in Surrey One in RichmondOne in Langley
Kwantlen University College
• Kwantlen currently offers over 100 programs in addition to 14 four-year undergraduate degrees
• It is the largest University College in Canada – approx. 17,000 students—10,000 FTE’s– Over 800 faculty and 500 staff
Degree Areas
• Interior Design
• Graphics Design
• Fashion Design
• Applied Journalism
• Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Business Administration
• Information Technology
• Nursing
• Applied Psychology
• Community Criminal Justice
• B.A. Criminology
• B.A. Psychology
• B.A. General Studies
• B.A. Double Minor
CURRENT MANDATE
• Kwantlen offers comprehensive programming ranging from trades and vocational programs to baccalaureate and applied masters degrees
• Over 75% of our programs ladder into degree programs
• We are currently developing pathways and credentials for trades programs to degrees
• No explicit research or scholarship mandate
THE VISION
• A primarily undergraduate university
• A distinct research and scholarship mandate– Research with an applied focus– Research that responds to the needs of the region– Research to inform teaching
• Priorities/distinct values– Primary focus on teaching– Laddering/integration pf programs– Service to our surrounding communities
OUR ENVIRONMENT- KEY POINTS
• One dimensional university model in Canada
• No recognition of distinct research mandate for university colleges
• Demographic pressure for increased access to post secondary education over the next 10 years
• Competitive forces re. students and faculty– Expanded degree-granting authority to private and
public colleges in the region
THE RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP PERPECTIVE
• Office of Research and Scholarship
• Reinforce/enable the vision– Enhance currency/quality of teaching– Involve students/enhance their educational
experience– Involve/benefit the communities we serve– Research Institutes
• Establish as a “core” function– Part of “accountable time”– Not “off the side of the desk”
THE OPPORTUNITY
• Meet unfulfilled community need
• Enhance value and reputation of institution with key stakeholders in government and our publics
• Enhance our attractiveness in the market place of students and faculty
THE CHALLENGES
• Cultural change– Fear: Change in duties and accountability– Avoid the traditional hierarchy: Research and Teaching
• As a publicly funded institution - positioning with Government– As an institution and re Research and Scholarship
• Work load restructuring– Balancing teaching and research– Contact hours and class size
THE CHALLENGES
• Money– Internal Grants, External Grants, Base Funding
• Facilities/space– Faculty Offices, Labs, Program Centres
THE APPROACH/ PROGRESS
• Establish guiding principles– All forms of scholarship– Emphasis on benefit to students/faculty/communities– Emphasis on partnership
• Lobbying with Governments and government funding agencies
THE APPROACH/PROGRESS
• Engagement with faculty and staff– Institution wide steering committee– Emphasis on personal contact and relationship
building
• Community outreach and partnership building
• Achieve early funding success
THE APPROACH/PROGRESS
• Increase support from institution– Expanded office of Research and Scholarship– Research funding
• Initiate thinking re. work load restructuring across institution
• Recognize and celebrate success
YOUR EXPERIENCE?
• Are we doing some of the right things?
• What are we missing?
• What lessons have you learned?
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Pick up Kwantlen CalendarKwantlen Viewbook
Phone 604.599.2100
Visit kwantlen.ca
Mailing Address
Kwantlen University College
12666 72nd Avenue, Surrey
BC, Canada V3W 2M8