Regional Innovation Chair Presents at National College Conference

The theme Inspiration is the creative spark and breath that leads to great achievements. The 2016 Colleges and Institutes Canada (CiCan) Conference focused on this important theme, which drives innovation, development and discoveries. Presentations revealed how colleges and institutes promote change through innovative practices and approaches in teaching and learning, applied research, and collaboration with business, industry and partners within the community. The Conference included pre-conference activities, networking meetings, speeches, panel discussions and workshops, all opportunities to meet inspiring people and to be inspired.

Selkirk’s Regional Innovation Chair, Dr. Terri MacDonald, provided two presentations at this year’s national conference in Quebec City. The first presentation entitled, “Preparing for the Future: Building Resilient Rural, Remote and Northern Communities” served as the keynote for the Rural Networking Session. The keynote included highlights from State of Rural Canada report as well as a consideration of an applied research capacity diagnostic for colleges. The State of Rural Canada report was the result of a partnership between the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF), the Rural Policy Learning Commons(RPLC) and Brandon University. “The conference was a perfect opportunity to begin a conversation with Canadian colleges and institutes on their role in building resilient communities,” says MacDonald. “I was honoured to represent both CRRF and RPLC and the important work we are doing.”

The second presentation Dr. MacDonald delivered entitled, “Colleges Supporting Economic Development: The Case of a Regional Business Retention and Expansion Pilot Project” shared learnings from the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute’s regional BRE initiative. Over 70 attendees gathered to learn more about how Selkirk College, through its work under the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute, is supporting informed decision-making, capacity building and social innovation. “It was wonderful to see so much interest in what we are doing here in the Kootenays. Our region should be proud of how we are working together to strengthen our regional economy,” says MacDonald.