Continuing Studies fall 2009 | www.sfu.ca/cstudies

newsletter

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All right, we know cake isn’t considered healthy fare. But that didn’t stop ida Chong, B.C.’s Minister of Healthy Living and sport (centre right), from indulging in a slice, along with 200 older students and current and former sFu faculty and administrators as they celebrated the 35th anniversary of the seniors program.

As part of the festivities, host and program director Alan Aberbach (centre left, holding cake knife) treated everyone to a showing of the program’s latest outreach DVD, Democracy: The Intent and the Reality. www.sfu.ca/seniors

Seniors Program Celebrates 35 years

i am delighted to introduce this Fall 2009 issue of the Continuing studies newsletter. As you will see, the breadth and innovation of our recent programming and community outreach activities are gathered around four primary themes: the success and growth of our adult learning courses, the development of online programs and initiatives, our international projects, and our commitment to building and strengthening links between sFu and the communities it serves.

What ties these many and varied activities together is Continuing studies’ unyielding commitment to extending the university’s provision of lifelong learning for all, regardless of background. the exciting programs and imaginative activities we showcase are a testament to Continuing studies’ vitality and reach: at all three sFu campuses, within the Metro Vancouver, across Canada and internationally. sFu might not be the largest university in Canada, but it is certainly one of the most dynamic and progressive!

Tom Nesbit, Dean pro temContinuing Studies, Simon Fraser University

sFU nOw Proving Popular Despite a full-time job, Joel LaFollette is back at university to complete his degree thanks to sFu NoW: Nights or Weekends, a degree-completion program for those who have interrupted their university studies.

Launched last fall, sFu NoW is proving popular. enrolment has grown each semester, with 121 students now studying to complete a Bachelor of General studies degree in the Faculty of Arts and social sciences. Course selections include literature, sociology, labour studies, religious studies, criminology, spanish, restorative justice and forensic science.

“thanks to sFu NoW, i’m taking control of my life and acting on opportunities that i was previously scared to try,” says LaFollette. “i’m also building respect among my peers and co-workers.”

sFu NoW staffers next plan a Bachelor of Arts degree. the program will also expand to the surrey campus. www.sfu.ca/sfunow

time is right FOr management and PrOFessiOnal PrOgrams Despite a depressed economy, Continuing studies’ Management and professional programs increased course delivery by 22 per cent in 2009 and attracted an impressive 2,295 registrants; an increase of 34 per cent over 2008. Much of the program’s growth occurred at the surrey campus, which boasted 1,638 of all registrants.

the demand isn’t surprising, says program director raveen sanghera. “our business and management courses, certificates and diplomas help professionals meet their employers’ and customers’ high expectations.” www.sfu.ca/mpprog

new: CertiFiCate in dialOgUe and CiviC engagement How does dialogue create engaged citizens and build relationships that can foster progress on a community or public issue?

the Dialogue program’s new Certificate in Dialogue and Civic engagement seeks to answer this and other questions pertaining to engaging citizens in effective change processes. this unique program targets those in organizational leadership roles who see public dialogue becoming more central to their responsibilities.

Launched this semester, the first students include representatives from non-governmental organizations, business, community organizations, health agencies, First Nations and government. they are learning the nature and core elements of dialogue and civic engagement, the power dynamics involved in engagement, and how to choose the right dialogue process for different issues and contexts. www.sfu.ca/dialogue

Career development Practitioners Can Find Jobs Quickly Which Continuing studies program has a graduate job-placement rate of over 88 per cent? it’s the Career Development practitioner Certificate, a 440-hour program accredited by the Career Management Association of BC and the National Career Development Association.

Designed for those who want to become (or already are) career advisors and employment counselors, the two-year-old certificate program prepares graduates to plan and implement career development courses for clients with vocational needs. program graduates easily find employment in high schools, colleges, job service offices, employment centres and government agencies.

to meet growing demand, Continuing studies introduced a part-time certificate program earlier this year for students with daytime commitments such as work or parenting. in all, there were 590 course enrollments in both the full-time and part-time cohorts.

Community organizations such as Family services of Greater Vancouver, Young Women’s Christian Association and Lower Mainland school boards offer both practicum and employment opportunities. www.sfu.ca/mycareer WiLsoN NAM

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2 newslettersimon fraser university news y continuing studies y fall 2009

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Learning where you live.

Despite the recession, demand for qualified technical communicators remains strong. Working in a variety of industries, from high-tech and engineering to government and health care, technical communicators produce user instructions, training materials, policy and procedure manuals, and a range of other documentation.

to meet this demand, the Writing and publishing program (Wpp) is now offering its technical Communication Certificate program online instead of face-to-face.

Aimed at mid-career professionals who want to enter the technical communication field, the program consists of nine courses, taken one at a time, over a 13-month period. Courses are

new Online helPdesk sUPPOrts stUdents 24/7students enrolled in distance education classes through the Centre for online and Distance education (CoDe) already receive study and administrative support by email, phone and in person. this semester, CoDe introduced another option: an online helpdesk. it offers students, tutors and faculty a searchable knowledge database for navigating CoDe’s online systems, with information on such topics as how to submit assignments or use WebCt, an online educational technology.

“Now, students taking online courses through CoDe have access to help when they need it, beyond CoDe’s office hours,” says CoDe’s acting director, Yvonne tabin. www.sfu.ca/code

FrenCh-langUage m.ed. debUtsthe Centre for online and Distance education (CoDe) has helped develop four online French-language graduate courses that form part of a two-year online Master of education program delivered in French. the new program, which started this semester, complements a similar face-to-face program offered on campus.

“this new online format will help increase enrolment and attract students involved in French-language educational settings who otherwise would have little access to graduate programs in French,” says Yvonne tabin, CoDe’s acting director.

Working with the Faculty of education and the office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs, CoDe provided instructional design expertise, course production, graphic design services, and technical and copyright advice.

this is CoDe’s second foray into graduate programming; the centre already offers an MA in Applied Legal studies for notaries. www.sfu.ca/code

ma in aPPlied legal stUdies FOr nOtariesthe MA in Applied Legal studies (MA ALs), a joint effort between sFu’s school of Criminology, CoDe, and the society of Notaries public of BC, launched in 2008. Completion of the degree is now a prerequisite for membership in the society. the program’s delivery is innovative, combining on-campus and online delivery, which ensures time and location flexibility for professional students. www.sfu.ca/code

Online and FaCe-tO-FaCe FOr CertiFiCate in management A new blended learning format that incorporates both online and classroom course components in the Certificate in Management program is proving popular, says raveen sanghera, program director with Management and professional programs. “our students are working adults, so the three new blended learning courses allow them to get more done at their convenience.”

in 2008/2009 the Certificate in Management included 36 courses and attracted 600 registrants. sanghera expects the convenient online component will attract even more adult learners. www.sfu.ca/mpprog

new: study online for technical communication certificate

learn how to create collective memoryinterested in learning more about how to start a social history project, document your family history or capture an organization’s beginnings? Find out the answers during a mini-conference Nov. 12–14, 2009 at the Vancouver campus at Harbour Centre.

Creating Collective Memory: Writing social History will offer insight, motivation and ideas for capturing public and private memories of family, community, organizations or identity. organized by Continuing studies’ Writing and publishing program (Wpp), the conference includes speakers and hands-on workshops.

“We’re bringing people together to be inspired by speakers such as author Jean Barman, who has written three books based on memories; CBC associate producer Charlie Cho, who creates

multimedia projects; Larry Wong, director of the Vancouver Historical society; and Vancouver’s poet laureat Brad Cran,” says katherine McManus, Wpp’s director. “As well, the workshops are an ideal opportunity for participants to work on projects they want to start or complete.” McManus say the need for organizations and communities to tell their collective story seems to have become more urgent. “As organizations age they lose their first members, and as families become dispersed around the globe the family history weakens,” she says. “some people are attempting to reverse that trend by committing the collective memory of the group to print, the web, or video. this mini-conference will help people take a step in that direction.” www.sfu.ca/wp

delivered through WebCt, an online learning technology. students read, complete assignments, and interact with other students online whenever it is convenient. And since web-based discussions are asynchronous, students are not required to be online at the same time.

“For many adult learners, adding school to an already busy life is challenging,” says katherine McManus, Wpp’s director. “Allowing students the freedom to complete coursework online, when it is convenient for them, makes this certificate a natural fit for many.” www.sfu.ca/wp/techcert.htm

developing welcoming and inclusive communitiesFew cities are as cosmopolitan as Vancouver, with its diverse ethnic population. As B.C. becomes more multicultural, it’s important to develop and foster dialogues among communities, governments and partners that define how our communities can become more welcoming and inclusive.

Continuing studies’ Dialogue programs has planned and hosted a series of forums this year to help local governments and communities articulate their visions and implement changes that will foster inclusiveness.

the next forum: Building relationships across Differences: A Community Dialogue, saturday, Nov. 14, Bowen park Auditorium, 500 Bowen road, Nanaimo. www.sfu.ca/dialogue

Canadian teenagers interested in archaeology can now experience the excitement of digging into the past when they play a new bilingual interactive game on parks Canada’s 3-D tours website.

parks Canada chose Continuing studies’ 7th Floor Media (7FM) to develop the game because of the group’s expertise in emerging technology applications for education and culture.

“since the parks Canada website has 3-D reconstructions of a number of Canadian national parks and historic sites, we decided to create a game that puts players in charge of a virtual dig,” explains Julie Zilber, co-director of 7th Floor Media. “players make decisions about resources, deal with the legal and political realities of a dig and draw conclusions from the archaeological evidence to support their theories.”

in a separate learning activity, players meet Alice, a young archaeologist who explains her work and discusses popular misconceptions about archaeology. says Zilber, “the goal is for players to gain an appreciation of the tools and information that can be gathered from artifacts.” www.7thfloormedia.com

new/onLine ProgramS and ProjeCtS

Young archaeologists dig it—virtually

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newsletter

China 32%

South Korea 30%

Saudi Arabia 25%

Japan 8%

Taiwan 2%

ailand 1%

Vietnam 1%

Others 1%

2008/2009 Students by Country

simon fraser university news y continuing studies y fall 2009

Programming that embraces the world’s cultures, at home and abroad.

enthusiasm is so high for punjabi courses—the latest addition to the Continuing studies Language programs portfolio—that the surrey campus will begin offering after-school punjabi classes in November this year. this new offering grew out of a two-week summer youth camp in punjabi in July, which drew rave reviews from parents, along with requests for after-school classes.

Language programs is also scrambling to address requests for customized classes, says program director Wendy steinberg. For example, City of surrey employees, who work with punjabi speakers on a daily basis, may now take a tailored version of the punjabi course. www.sfu.ca/punjabi

FOCUsing On aFriCaAfrica needs to shed its image as a place of death and dying, with help from those who identify with Africa. that was one message that author and order of Canada member MG Vassanji gave during a keynote presentation at the september 2009 symposium, Africa and its Diasporas.

the two-and-a-half day event, organized by Continuing studies’ Community education program in collaboration with the Focus on Africa Working group, attracted 101 participants from Africa, North America and Vancouver. they discussed how Africa’s disasporas can connect and make a difference to Africa’s world image and development. www.sfu.ca/community

influencing China’s environment from afarsFu is playing an important role in influencing China’s environmental policies through its links with the China Council for international Cooperation on environment and Development (CCiCeD), an advisory body established in 1992 to advise the state Council of China on environmental policy.

sFu Continuing studies’ international Development and Faculty engagement (iDFe) office manages CiDA’s contribution to the CCiCeD ($6.95 million for the current phase iV) as well as contributions worth $1.8 million from other international donors. www.sfu.ca/cstudies/idfe

POsitivelY PUnJabi at sFU sUrreY

Left to Right : Chris Dagg (SFU), Shaheen Nanji (SFU), Garett Pratt (CIDA), Zhu Guangyao (Secretary-General of CCICED), Nello Angerilli (SFU), Yichun Dai (SFU), Guo Jing (Deputy Director of Foreign Economic Cooperation Office), at the CCICED annual meeting in China.

stepping Up the response to the aids Pandemic in lesothothe kingdom of Lesotho, known for its physical beauty as much as for its resilient people, is a nation in crisis according to its prime Minister, pakalitha Mosisili. An sFu alumnus, Mosisili spoke at sFu’s recent president’s Forum, organized by Dialogue programs and moderated by sFu president Michael stevenson.

speaking to an audience of more than 170, Mosisili explained how the AiDs pandemic has infected 23 per cent of the population, primarily 15-49 year-olds who are Lesotho’s most productive members and make up almost one-third of the kingdom’s population of 1.8 million. Mosisili asked for the international community to increase its support for Lesotho’s national AiDs strategy, which includes mandatory testing of expectant mothers to prevent mother-child transmission, and a know your status public awareness campaign in which the president himself publicly took an AiDs test. An integral part of this campaign is services for those who test positive plus services for displaced children and orphans. Many of these services are supported by international aid organizations. www.sfu.ca/presidentsforum

thinking of the worLd

China 32%

South Korea 30%

Saudi Arabia 25%

Japan 8%

Taiwan 2%

ailand 1%

Vietnam 1%

Others 1%

2008/2009 Students by Country

Programs overviewenglish langUage PrOgrams have glObal reaChstudents from saudi Arabia, China and south korea predominated among the 774 students from 19 different countries who arrived at sFu this year to participate in the english Language and Culture program. others hailed from thailand, Vietnam, Germany, Japan, turkey, Colombia, kazakhstan, Yemen, taiwan, russia, iran, slovakia, Hungary and Brazil.

“that makes this one of the most diverse years in the program’s 14-year history,” says director Colleen Wood. it was also the largest, up from 680 students in 2008. www.sfu.ca/elc

wOrld’s Oldest dOCtOr visits sFUHe’s arguably the world’s oldest and longest practicing physician, but 98-year-old shigeaki Hinohara wasn’t in Vancouver to treat anyone. the busy Japanese doctor, educator and popular author of 150 books—all published since he turned 75—visited Vancouver in August for a weeklong educational and cultural visit hosted by Continuing studies.

He brought a group of 30 relative youngsters with him, all members of the New old people’s Movement for Japanese seniors aged 75 and over. the group’s purpose is to encourage seniors to explore new activities and experiences.

During their stay, the seniors attended english classes and an intercultural communication seminar at sFu.

project JApAN director toshimi ono says, “Dr. Hinohara and his party are great role models for North American seniors. We already know the dietary secrets of longevity of Japan’s centenarians. Now we get a chance to explore an equally important secret to staying young: intellectual curiosity and passion for learning and exploring.” www.sfu.ca/japanese

Chinese and kOrean langUage PrOgramsCanadians traveling to China should check out the new Mandarin for independent travelers course, introduced this fall after the success of a ‘crash course’ version during the summer. Also making its debut this summer was Chinese Characters Made easy, a reading, writing and typing course that introduces a simpler way to input Chinese characters into computers. www.sfu.ca/chinese and www.sfu.ca/korean

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abOriginal UniversitY PreP PrOgram gets readY FOr next COhOrtthe popular Aboriginal university prep program (Aupp) will start again in January 2010. offered at the surrey campus since 2007, the program aims to increase Aboriginal students’ participation in post-secondary education and enhance their chances of achieving academic success in university.

“the Aboriginal university prep program helps students develop academic and personal skills in preparation for their university studies,” explains Natalie Wood-Wiens, Aupp Coordinator. “through teaching these skills, we aim to support and retain Aboriginal students from course completion through to university graduation.”

the program’s comprehensive four-month curriculum includes foundation courses in university-level reading and writing, mathematics, science, and indigenous knowledge in the modern world. the students also learn to manage stress, improve their study skills and motivation, and explore the wide range of potential careers available upon graduation. www.sfu.ca/cstudies/community/aboriginal.htm

PreParing abOriginals FOr health CareersAboriginal students have a new route to health careers thanks to the Aboriginal pre-Health program from Continuing Health education.

students who enroll in pre-Health at sFu’s surrey campus can explore various health-career options while building the academic prerequisites they’ll need to pursue postsecondary programs such as nursing, medicine or dental hygiene.

supported by Health Canada, the two-semester program was developed collaboratively with a number of Aboriginal groups and organizations, as well as kwantlen polytechnic university and Douglas College.

“As someone who received my elementary education at a residential school on the reserve, i encourage Aboriginal people to enroll in the pre-Health program,” says evelyn Locker, Blood tribe/Blackfoot Nation elder who serves as the Aboriginal pre-Health program’s first resident elder. “it will prepare them for a career in the field of their choice, an opportunity that i never had while growing up.” www.sfu.ca/healthed/aboriginal

kamlOOPs PrOgram Celebrates gradUatiOnGraduates of the Aboriginal Leadership and Administration (ALA) program had three opportunities to celebrate their graduation: twice on the Burnaby campus in June, and once more on september 19 with their community in kamloops.

the ALA, offered as part of integrated studies programs through a partnership with the kamloops indian Band at sFu’s kamloops campus, is a part-time undergraduate degree completion program. it features courses in the liberal arts, business and First Nations studies, all taught by sFu faculty members with assistance from local aboriginal instructors and guest speakers.

“the program has made a real difference in my ability to lead effectively in my community,” says Connie Leonard, a councilor with the kamloops indian Band. “the skills i learned in the on-reserve cohort were immediately transferable to my work and helped to make a difference in my community.” www.sfu.ca/integratedstudies

Evelyn Locker, Blood Tribe/Blackfoot Nation elder, serves as the Aboriginal Pre-Health Program’s first Resident Elder

dean tom Nesbit phone 778.782.5100 y fax 778.782.5098www.sfu.ca/cstudies y email cstudies@sfu.caeditor Diane Luckowproofreader kirsten Masse

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UPCOming PhilOsOPhers’ CaFésFor times and precise venues, see www.philosopherscafe.net october 22: What level of funded health care should be

available for Canadians who are homeless, poor, or addicted? (West Van); Autobiographies: telling it, like it was? (international Writers Festival café)

october 26: From roman coliseum to the contemporary hockey stadium (Vancouver)

october 27: What is an examined life, and what does that offer us? (Vancouver)

october 29: Moral obligation — how far in the past and the future does it go? (Vancouver)

November 2: pourquoi souffrons nous, et que faire? (Vancouver)

November 3: Militant atheism and militant theism (Vancouver)November 4: society has legitimized the right to marry the

same sex. Why not polygamy or the right to be united with my pet? (surrey)

November 10: reason and emotion — a troubled marriage? (White rock)

November 12: slam philosophy — having some fun with philosophical inquiry (Maple ridge)

November 14: How legitimate is evangelism in a post-Christian society? (New Westminster)

November 16: passion — what is it, can we find it, do we lose it and what difference does it make? (Vancouver); “if God is dead, everything is possible” (port Coquitlam)

November 18: is faith in God reasonable? (North Vancouver); the circular relationship between meaning and knowing (North Vancouver)

November 19: open Café discussion in russian (richmond)November 20: With our ever-increasing rate of change, is

much wisdom at risk of becoming obsolete or irrelevant? (Vancouver)

SuPPorting aboriginaL CommunitieS

building a vision for green energy in b.C.Green energy is a globally topical issue and in B.C., run-of-river hydropower makes it a controversial issue.

on Nov. 3–4, the Centre for Coastal studies and Continuing studies in science will co-host a public dialogue, Building a Vision for Green energy in British Columbia, at the Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue.

the event will explore renewable energy options, with a principle focus on hydro-electric power. speakers include faculty from sFu, uBC, BCit and other invited experts who will explore the issue from the diverse perspectives of industry, science, academia, First Nations and civil society. A report synthesizing the presentations and perspectives will be available electronically after the dialogue.

the event was organized in partnership with sFu’s faculties of environment and science. www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science

talking abOUt the CitYWho knew? Vancouver’s plan to allow six-storey wood-frame construction is such a big deal that it attracted an audience of more than 100 to a free public lecture in september coordinated by Continuing studies’ City program and the royal Architectural institute of Canada. As well, two more public lectures in october sold out: Artland Versus sculpture park: Choices facing public Art and Views on Views: perspectives on View Corridors in Vancouver.

Next on the City program’s free public lecture agenda: Learning from toronto, thursday, Nov. 26, 7 pm at uBC robson square, 800 robson st., Vancouver.

elyse parker, director of the public realm section for toronto’s transportation services division, will explain how toronto is taking designs for a healthy city—and healthy people—to the streets.

For recordings of past lectures and information about upcoming lectures visit www.sfu.ca/city.

Programs for strengthening our communities.Community outreaCh and engagement

you’re invitedCOntinUing stUdies PUbliC leCtUres and eventsMore info: www.sfu.ca/cstudies. (V) Vancouver. (S) Surrey.

october 27: speaking of science—Double, double, toil and trouble: the science, the policy, and the politics of Canada’s Species at Risk Act (WMC 2202)

November 3: Liberal and Business studies info session (V) November 3–4: Dialogue: Building a Vision for Green energy in

BC. Fee $200 (V)November 12: speaking of science free public lecture (V)November 12: Career Development practitioner Certificate info

session (s)November 12–14: Creating Collective Memory: Writing social

History mini-conference (V)November 14: seniors forum—the Global Financial Crisis and

trade protectionism: the implications for Canada (V)November 19: Liberal and Business studies info session (s) November 24: sFu NoW: Nights or Weekends info session (V) November 26: speaking of science free public lecture (V) November 26: Learning from toronto free public lecture by elyse

parker, Director of the public realm section for toronto’s transportation services Division (V)

December 2: Liberal and Business studies info session (V) December 9: Career Development practitioner Certificate info

session (s)January 7, 2010: Career Development practitioner Certificate

info session (s)January 9: Writing and publishing program information session

(V)January 13: Liberal and Business studies info session (s) January 16: Career options in technical Communication,

Business Writing and editing. Fee $50 (V)January 26: Liberal and Business studies info session (V)January 19: sFu NoW: Nights or Weekends info session (V)