sap canada and ubc learning exchange 2005-2010

SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010

SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1

The UBC Learning Exchange thanks SAP Canada and

its employees for their exceptional support of the

Reading Week Community Service Projects.

• SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010

The UBC Learning Exchange

The UBC Learning Exchange is an expression of the University of British Columbia’s strong com-

mitment to community engagement. Based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the Learning

Exchange consists of two major program areas. First, the Learning Exchange offers margin-

alized residents resources designed to inspire them to become life-long learners and active

citizens and second, the Learning Exchange connects UBC students with inner city schools and

non-profi t organizations where they contribute to community programs while learning about

important social issues, developing their interpersonal skills, and gaining clarity about their

own educational and career goals.

Since 1999, the Learning Exchange has been working closely with the Vancouver Board of Edu-

cation, because we both strongly believe that having UBC students mentor inner city children

and youth is a powerful way to prevent them from “falling through the cracks”. UBC students

support elementary and secondary students in a variety of subject areas, including math, read-

ing, and science. They also lead a wide range of after-school programs and special projects.

“You are going to have a tremendous opportunity to connect with the kids in a way that

will have an impact on their sense of self-confi dence and well-being and self-esteem,

and will really, truly make a difference in their learning. You’ll also have an opportunity

to serve as powerful role models, and . . . you are going to learn and grow from your ex-

periences.” ~ Lynn Green, Associate Superintendent for the Vancouver Board of Education

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What are Reading Week Community Service Projects?

One of the most important and powerful ways that UBC students engage with inner-city children

is through our Reading Week (spring break) community service projects. The Reading Week pro-

gram immerses UBC students in three-day projects in which they work side-by-side with elemen-

tary school children. The projects meet the priorities of local inner city schools, while connecting

children with enthusiastic mentors. For the UBC students who want their university learning to be

applied to real-life issues beyond the classroom, it’s energizing and eye-opening to collaborate

with the children on activities such as a literacy fair, a hands-on science project, or the creation of

a community garden.

SAP Canada, formerly Business Objects, began providing fi nancial support for the Learning Ex-

change’s Reading Week program in 2005. At that time, there were 150 UBC students participating

in the program. With SAP’s strong and consistent support, this has grown signifi cantly. And now,

the program involves about 300 UBC students and 1200 children every year.

“The mentoring of positive role models has had a great impact on my students’

outlook. They see successful university students, who are just as enthusiastic and

dedicated to their project as they are. Many of my students thrive on these interac-

tions and some of them even begin to see themselves as future university students.”

~Justin Borsato, Teacher, Britannia Elementary


“This is what has been

missing from my

education!”

~UBC student, Reading Week 2009


SAP Canada Employee Involvement

“I’m proud to be part of an organization that motivates its staff through opportunities of leadership in the commu-

nity. This program was not a handout to underprivileged kids; it was an opportunity for Business Objects’ future

leaders to see how we can impact individuals and communities with our knowledge, language, and attitude. The

experiences that I gained through the program are directly applicable to my career. Business Objects has always

been is in the business of changing companies through information but is also demonstrated to me that we can

change communities through our people. Thank you BOBJ.”~Farshad Bayati, SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008

Since 2008, SAP employees have been participating in a unique leadership training program

through the Learning Exchange. Combining talent development and corporate social responsibil-

ity, participants in the Community Leadership Program take part in leadership workshops and then

practice what they have learned by leading a team of UBC students in a project at an inner-city

school.

The program has been a win-win for all involved. SAP employees refi ne their leadership skills, while

learning about important social issues and contributing to Vancouver schools. And the Learning

Exchange gets enthusiastic project leaders, who bring a diverse experiences and perspectives that

enrich the projects.


“One feedback I had, directly quoted from a student was: ‘You are a great leader. You really listen to us.’ It serves as an encouragement and a confi rmation to my belief in leadership: that as a leader, I am really a comrade who is watching the back of whoever there is in my team, to make sure they can face the challenges ahead and offer assistance whenever asked.”

~SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008


Feedback from SAP Canada Employees

“Leading a team that was focused on working within an inner city school, with

children that came from underprivileged environments provided an opportu-

nity for true refl ection on the importance of investing in the lives of others. At

the base of any leadership role there is the inherent responsibility to invest in

the success of others. Participation in a program such as this gives the op-

portunity to provide meaningful input into the lives of others, and as a result,

is great practice for leadership both in the community and in the workplace.”

~Keith Metcalfe, SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008

“Through my participation in the Emerging Leaders opportunity I gained more insight to what I respect, respond to

and appreciate within a leader. The program made me really examine my perspective on leadership in contrast to

the archetypal stereo-types we all have at a superfi cial level. By analyzing and recognizing are own strengths and

discussing the concepts of relational leadership and emotional intelligence, I was able to defi ne the type of leader I

want to be and how my existing strengths champion that leadership within me.”

~Wode Corchesne, SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008


“Some of the projects were so well done and the kids who

were really into their topic, really got into it! My favorite

–project was the Pythagorean Theorem. I was expecting

it to be quite diffi cult because one child was deaf and the

other was a bit hyperactive with a learning disability and a

low level in math and reading. In the end, they had one of

the best exhibits and presentations. They were calculat-

ing square roots, explaining the Pythagorean theorem to

passerby’s and even remembered the word “hypotenuse!”

They had so much energy and were so excited that they

were doing this higher level math.”

~SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008


Reading Week Community Service Projects Now

This year, UBC’s two-week long Olympic reading break allowed the Learning Exchange to engage

500 UBC students with 2000 school children – the largest number of university students ever.

Many of the projects had Olympic themes. For example, SAP employee James Phu led Britannia

Elementary’s “Math Behind the Olympics” project. Through this project a group of very keen UBC

students teamed up with grade 7 students to understand some diffi cult math concepts. For exam-

ple, the students learned about speed, distance, and velocity by racing down the gym in bobsleds

made with help from their UBC mentors.

The project’s UBC student leader, Marley Macvey, is a math major and was excited to be doing a

project in her fi eld of study. “When I think of learning math as a kid, it could be daunting. What

made the difference for me was when I was told to think of all the equations and formulas as tools

in a toolbox that’s essential for everyday life.” Marley hoped that her own passion for math would

inspire the kids.

“At Britannia we have seen a dramatic increase in student work habits, fo-

cus, and attendance during Reading Week projects with the UBC Learning Ex-

change. Being part of this project has become a critical part of what it means to

be in Grade 7 at Britannia and successive grades look forward to it each year.”

~Greg Barnes, Principal, Britannia Elementary


Many UBC students and project leaders hope to inspire school children through their participa-

tion in the Reading Week projects. However, they are often surprised to fi nd themselves equally

inspired by the kids. SAP employee, Ally Peerbocus, the leader of the “Math and Science Fiesta” at

Macdonald Elementary, experienced this.

His project paired up UBC students with students in grades 4, 5, and 6 to create projects for a

science fair that took place on the fi nal day of the project. Using mathematics to help understand

the data they collected, the students’ projects ranged dramatically from experimenting with food

colouring in order to learn about the capillary action in plants to testing the effectiveness of house-

hold substances in cleaning pennies to determining how best to get a volcano to explode.

While inspired by the students’ creativity, enthusiasm, and hard work, Ally reported that his great-

est source of inspiration came early on the morning of the second day, well before anybody was

working on their projects. Ally and his student leaders were preparing for the day when they no-

ticed a child’s drawing on the classroom fl oor. They assumed it had fallen from a nearby bulletin

board until a similar drawing mysteriously appeared on the fl oor the next morning. Clearly slipped

under the door by a student, this one had a message written in orange felt pen stating, “Thank you

for helping me.”

“The kids inspired me so much, I think it was a great way for students and kids alike

to have tons of fun and learn valuable skills.”

~UBC Student, Reading Week 2010

Reading Week Community Service Projects Inspire!


“I learned not to have stereotypes about schools and the

children in them. It taught me the importance of how

community can bring together people and help the chil-

dren grow.” ~UBC Student, Reading Week 2006

“It was an amazing opportunity to learn from kids and I feel proud and great about

the things I’ve done for the past three days. I’d like to get involved in this project if I

have a chance in the next year.”


UBC Student Refl ections

“I thoroughly enjoyed this experience – it really pushed

my boundaries and I appreciated the challenge.”


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The Learning Exchange and SAP have had a mutually benefi -

cial relationship for the past several years and have worked

together for the benefi t of many SAP employees, hundreds

of UBC students, and thousands of inner-city school chil-

dren. Thank you for your outstanding support and partner-

ship. We look forward to continuing to achieve great things

together in the coming years.

“The Learning Exchange’s partnership with SAP is an inspiring example of how busi-

ness, university, and community can work together in innovative and truly mutually

benefi cial ways.”

~ Margo Fryer, Director, UBC Learning Exchange

Thank you SAP Canada

UBC Learning Exchange

612 Main St

Vancouver, BC V6A 2V3

Ph. 604.408.5164

www.learningexchange.ubc.ca

sap canada and ubc learning exchange 2005-2010

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