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

E-mailinquiry@kwantlen.ca

Phone 604.599.2100

Visit kwantlen.ca

Mailing Address

Kwantlen University College

12666 72nd Avenue, Surrey

BC, Canada V3W 2M8