Post-secondary leaders gather in Niagara Falls for national conference

Press Release

Leaders in post-secondary education from across the country and around the world will be gathering at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, from May 5 to 7 for Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) annual conference. Hosted by Niagara College, this year’s conference theme is Inclusion: A Recipe for Success.

CICan’s annual conference is the biggest event of its kind in Canada. It provides an opportunity for college and institute leaders and stakeholders to network, share best practices, and be inspired. This year, over 850 college and institute leaders, educators and partners from across the country and around the world are expected.

The conference will feature many distinguished guests and keynote speakers, including civil rights activist and founder of the #MeToo movement Tarana Burke, celebrity chef and entrepreneur Vikram Vij, and the founder of STOPGAP Luke Anderson.

“Niagara College is very pleased to host this year’s National Conference, and we look forward to engaging with educational leaders from across the country, discussing some of the most pressing issues facing post-secondary education in Canada today,” said Niagara College president Dan Patterson. “We’re also excited with the opportunity to showcase our region. Niagara is fast becoming recognized as one of the country’s premier destinations for high-profile conferences and events, with world-class facilities, amenities and cultural attractions, and we’re pleased to bring such a high-profile event to our community.”

Over 140 presenters and speakers will share their insights and expertise over the three-day event, which is divided into six distinct streams: Entrepreneurial approaches, Future Ready, Going Global, Innovative Education, Leading Success and Student Success. Other important topics such as Indigenous education, applied research and innovation will be treated as cross-cutting themes across the different streams.

Here are a few examples of the many scheduled presentations:

Increasing Indigenous Student Access to PSE

May 6, 2019 | 11:00 – 12:00

Democratizing the Delivery of Post-Secondary Education in Rural and Remote Communities 

May 6, 2019 | 13:45 – 14:45

Social Innovation in the college sector: A Key Approach to Inclusion

May 6, 2019 | 13:45 – 14:45

Getting Ready for a Digital Tomorrow

May 7, 2019 | 09:45 – 10:30

Fostering Newcomer Student Success in a shifting Employment Landscape

May 7, 2019 | 11:00 – 12:00

Interdisciplinarity and future skills: Keeping institutions relevant in an age of accelerated change

May 7, 2019 | 13:45 – 14:45

For more information, see the full conference program at collegesinstitutes.ca/conference

Journalists interested by any of these topics, or who would like to attend the CICan conference in full or in part, can contact us for media accreditation.

About Colleges and Institutes Canada:

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the voice of Canada’s publicly-supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics, and an international leader in education for employment with ongoing programs in over 25 countries. CICan’s members add over $190B to Canada’s economy each year and contribute to inclusive economic growth by working with industry and community partners to offer more than 10,000 programs to learners in urban, rural, remote, and northern communities.

About Niagara College:

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca.

-30-

For more information and media accreditation:

Julien Abord-Babin
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
Colleges and Institutes Canada
jabord-babin@collegesinstitutes.ca
Tel: 613-746-2222 ext. 3131
Twitter: @CollegeCan

Michael Wales
Manager, Communications
Niagara College
Tel: 905 641-2252 ext. 7773
Cell: 905 328-4101
mwales@niagaracollege.ca

ILR5