The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is excited to announce a partnership with the Maple League of Universities (Maple League) that will engage students as consultants in 130 new work-integrated learning (WIL) positions. This partnership is made possible through generous support from the Government of Canada.
The Maple League of Universities, made up of Acadia, Bishop’s, Mount Allison, and St. Francis Xavier University, is a consortium of primarily undergraduate universities committed to relationship building across institutional boundaries to provide unique opportunities to faculty and students alike.
Through this new program, students from the four Maple League universities will participate in micro-WIL or semester-long placements as Online Learning and Technology Consultants (OLTCs). They will aid instructors with course design and delivery as well the creation of non-academic learning modules and high-impact practices for students in post-COVID-19 classrooms.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted more than ever the need for a 21st-century classroom in post-secondary learning. Having students on the front lines to inform and support the delivery of technologically immersive courses is critical.
“We are excited to partner with the Maple League on this initiative to ensure a student-centric approach to course design for the post-COVID-19 classroom,” said Dr. Valerie Walker, CEO of BHER. “These opportunities will give students in three provinces valuable work experience, while equipping the four incredible Maple League institutions with more tools and resources to enhance student learning outcomes.”
Dr. Jessica Riddell, Executive Director of the Maple League and OLTC co-founder notes, “As we move into a post-COVID world, many of the lessons we have gleaned in a time of disruption will inform classroom design and delivery and should enhance the delivery of a 21st century liberal education. We are expanding this High-Impact program to all four campuses in 2021 – 2022 and will adapt this program to each unique institutional culture. The hope is that we can expand this to universities across Canada in the future so other universities can benefit from this model of student co-design and authentic collaboration of a 21st century education.”
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About the Business + Higher Education Roundtable:
The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization bringing together some of Canada’s largest companies and leading post-secondary institutions. Since 2015, BHER has worked to harness the strengths of Canada’s business and post-secondary education sectors to build opportunities for young Canadians, boost innovation and drive collaboration. Learn more at www.bher.ca.
Media Contact: Jennifer Riopelle, Director of Corporate Services – Business + Higher Education Roundtable – 647-680-2010, @email
About the Maple League of Universities:
The Maple League is made up of four universities – Acadia, Bishop’s, Mount Allison and St. Francis Xavier – who together form an alliance of small, rural, undergraduate liberal education institutions with Francophone heritage and a commitment to truth and reconciliation with indigenous communities. By fostering reciprocal relationships across institutional boundaries, we provide extraordinary opportunities to transform as leaders, scholars, and institutions. The Maple League creates distinctive learning environments that ensure our graduates are capable of navigating an increasingly complex world as citizens and leaders dedicated to the values of a just and civil society. For more information, visit our website: www.mapleleague.ca
Media Contact: Lauren Boultbee - Maple League Strategy and Advancement Lead, OTLC Project Manager - @email