A new certificate program at the University of the Fraser Valley is preparing students from all disciplines to become innovative changemakers. Created by associate professors Anna Griffith, Linda Pardy, and Martha Dow, the one-year Social Innovation certificate empowers learners with the skills to tackle complex challenges in any field.
On the heels of UFV's designation as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, the Social Innovation certificate is one of many ways the university is living up to its role. As longtime activists and changemakers themselves, its founders were moved to create this program in response to a global need.
"We are in this moment of high uncertainty about the world, and a moment where we need so much innovative thinking and the ability to envision a future that we all want to move toward. The certificate is a tool to help get us there," Anna explains.
The certificate is open to all UFV students, and can be taken on its own or added to a degree; members of the public who are interested in the certificate can apply to UFV to enroll in the program. Graduates will gain relevant work experience, a professional network, and a social innovation portfolio along with new leadership, collaboration, and communication skills. These can be applied in careers across business, arts, technology, science, community care, and beyond.
Aside from its intentional interdisciplinary approach, Anna says the certificate's focus on work-integrated learning is what sets it apart. Work-integrated learning experiences can include short-term placements, course-based projects in partnership with a company or organization, hackathons, field practicums, volunteerism, and short-term tasks such as promotional design or social media support for a specific event.
"It's not just learning about, it's learning through doing," says Anna. "You're learning the theory and practices, but then you're actually working on and then leading real social innovation projects. It bridges students into a workplace that they might want to be part of as they develop their career."
To earn the certificate, future changemakers will take four Social Innovation courses (Foundations for Innovative Thinking, Applied Innovation and Changemaking, Innovation by Design, and Advanced Social Innovation and Collaborative Leadership) and five additional electives from a list of approved courses. Many of those courses can also be applied to other UFV programs.
For Anna, changemaking is about envisioning possible futures that are better than what we have now, and then seeing the steps to get there. But it takes hope and self-efficacy to put that into action.
Linda has noted the gradual numbing effect of constant turmoil on the younger generations in her classroom. The Social Innovation certificate represents her faith in their abilities and a better tomorrow.
"I've noticed that the level of agency and advocacy and confidence just continues to decline. And that makes me sad. My hope for this program is that the students gain confidence I really want them to see their value. I want them to rock the world."
Learn more about the Social Innovation certificate here.
For more information
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