COMMUNITY UPDATE 2020 More than ever in these challenging times, UFV is your university. Here’s some of what we’re doing to engage learners, transform lives, and build community.
Read the full story at ufv.ca/community-update
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ENGAGING LEARNERS
THE NEW
NORMAL When the pandemic struck in March, UFV moved learning online and that model is continuing this fall, with virtual classrooms and students participating from the safety and comfort of their homes.
We’re here to help. Faculty at UFV have spent the summer refining online courses to ensure student success and we’ll be communicating as frequently as possible with our students. We want them to enjoy and benefit from their education. — Dr. Mai Anh Doan, professor of communications at UFV
DR. DHAMI LOVES SUPPORTING EDUCATION
UFV’s professors have adapted their courses for the virtual environment, collaborating with the UFV IT Services department to find the right tech for optimum learning, and with the UFV Teaching and Learning Centre, which hired additional learning specialists to facilitate the transition to online. There are a few programs where a hybrid model has been adopted. Approximately 15 percent of UFV students will be on campus for a portion of their studies — mainly in areas that have strong hands — on or clinical components. These include trades and technical programs like welding and culinary arts, health science areas like nursing and the dental assistant program, and some science labs. To help keep students and faculty safe, UFV’s safe campus measures include physical distancing, use of masks, plexiglass barriers, smaller groups, frequent cleaning regimens, and personal protective equipment.
AT UFV
Many faculty already have considerable experience teaching in a virtual space that now boasts synchronous (everyone gathers at the same time) and asynchronous (students log in when convenient for them) learning, videos, virtual break-out meeting rooms, live polling, and two-way communication.
Students can still enjoy a variety of university experiences. Online support resources offer guidance and information for students new to this environment, and student services like advising, counselling, financial aid, and registration are all offered virtually. Students can still enjoy a variety of university experiences including clubs, academic tutoring, and online recreational activities.
Many students started the term by enrolling in Smart Start, an online orientation course that includes modules on culture and conduct, wellness and success, prepping for class, and how to get involved in university life. UFV also held an online welcome ceremony attended live by hundreds and viewed later by more than a thousand. “Our faculty and staff have faced these uncertain and challenging times with extraordinary leadership, collaboration, and flexibility. It has made me prouder than ever to be a part of the UFV community. We will continue to engage learners and transform lives by providing exceptional learning opportunities and supporting our students in this new and complex environment,” said Dr. Joanne MacLean, UFV President and Vice-Chancellor. For more information about learning online at UFV, go to ufv.ca/online.
Photo above: A socially distant study station set up at UFV’s Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park.
Abbotsford’s Dr. Malwinder S. Dhami is a self-professed giving addict who likes to help students. Dhami, a local dentist, recently established his eighth endowed leadership award at UFV, this time in support of students in Agriculture.
“Because of endowed awards, our students have the support they need. Donors like Dr. Dhami make UFV an exceptional university, one where we all work together to engage learners, transform lives, and build community,” said UFV President Joanne MacLean.
Dhami’s other endowed awards support Nursing, Halq’emeylem, Punjabi, Dental Assisting, community leadership, South Asian Studies, and international students. He has also donated to support a number of other UFV programs and initiatives and is the cofounder of the Building Bridges Community Golf Day.
Donations given for student awards provide more than financial support: they encourage students to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.
“Dr. Dhami has made immense contributions to UFV, and continues to generously support our students and programs.
To establish your own named award or to make a donation to an existing student award, please visit ufv.ca/giving Photo left: Dr. Malwinder Dhami and Dr. Joanne MacLean at an endowment-signing ceremony at Maan Farms in Abbotsford.
TRANSFORMING LIVES
NEW CENTRES AID COMMUNITY CONNECTION, RECONCILIATION, AND PROSPERITY UFV has launched three new innovative centres to further our connection to the community and encourage new initiatives and research focused on the needs of the Fraser Valley. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SOCIAL INNOVATION HUB (CHASI) brings UFV researchers and students together with health and social service professionals to foster innovative thinking in the search for solutions to current and emerging challenges and opportunities. Joining UFV as community partners are the First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health, and the Divisions of Family Practice of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission. Dr. Martha Dow has been appointed director of the CHASI Hub. THE PEACE AND RECONCILIATION CENTRE (PARC) will focus on local, national, and global issues of peace and reconciliation. PARC is the only centre of its kind in Canada and has a distinctively collaborative and interdisciplinary focus. Dean Jacqueline Nolte from the UFV College of Arts was instrumental in working with community partners to found PARC. “Our vision is to build a supportive place to engage in dialogue, research, action, and creative expression on issues of difference, and work toward sustained and meaningful peace and reconciliation,” Nolte notes.
HOW YOUR GIFT IS MAKING AN IMPACT The university and the community have come together to support students as we adjust to a new normal due to COVID-19.
Dr. Keith Carlson is the chair of PARC, which receives financial support from the Vanderpol family through the Oikedome Foundation. THE ESPOSITO CENTRE FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP was founded in 2018 with the support of a $1 million donation from Abbotsford’s Esposito family. The Centre is a place for students, faculty and community members to explore and collaborate on new ideas and concepts. Dr. Jon Thomas is the director of the Esposito Centre. One of UFV’s longest-running centres, the SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES INSTITUTE (SASI), with support from the Abbotsford Community Foundation, has received $1.14 million in funding from the Province of BC to deliver Haq and History: A Punjabi Canadian Legacy Project. The funding allows SASI to continue work showcasing past and present contributions of the Punjabi community to British Columbia. Dr. Satwinder Bains is the director of the South Asian Studies Institute. Photo above: A student checks out some new tech at CHASI. Photo below: Dr. Satwinder Bains, director of SASI, met with Premier John Horgan recently to discuss the Punjabi Canadian History Project.
Any gift, big or small, supports students in achieving their goals. Bursaries, scholarships, and emergency grants have been funded by many at UFV and from the broader community. Thank you for your generosity.
$149,000 + has been contributed to the Student Emergency Fund to help students who are experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
$1,452,123 in financial aid has been administered to students in the form of bursaries, scholarships, and grants.
1,178 food hampers have been distributed to students since September 2018.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GIVE Learn how you can make an impact at ufv.ca/giving
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
KINDNESS MATTERS AWARD Celebrate kindness by nominating a current or former UFV student to win one of two $500 cash awards for their dedication in one of these areas: ADVOCACY CHAMPION
Positively championing a Canadian or global cause including the Black Lives Matter movement, Indigenous reconciliation, LGBTQIA2S+ awareness, and more.
LAND STEWARDSHIP
Positively impacting and protecting our natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices.
KINDNESS AMBASSADOR
Helping others adjust to the new normal of COVID-19, through promotion of all aspects of health and wellness.
ufv.ca/community-update
Submit your nominations before November 30 at alumni.ufv.ca/awards/kindness-matters-award
CENTRE FOR EXPERIENTIAL AND CAREER EDUCATION HELPS STUDENTS GET EXPERIENCE BEFORE GRADUATION The University of the Fraser Valley wants to ensure that all students have the chance to integrate careerrelated planning and experience into their education. UFV’s Centre for Experiential and Career Education (CECE) launched in 2019 with the help of a $300,000 donation from the RBC Foundation’s Future Launch program. Maureen Wideman, UFV Associate Vice President, Teaching and Learning, officially announced the creation of the centre last fall.
My co-op experiences in agriculture provided personal and career growth. I made connections through the program that resulted in my interdisciplinary honours research and industry awards. I’ve become a more well-rounded scientist because of co-op. — Shayne Oberhoffner (BSc ’20) Photo: Shayne Oberhoffner shared insights from his co-op work experience at the CECE launch event.
“Through the creation of CECE, we are bringing together the units at UFV that provide students with experiential learning opportunities such as paid co-operative education, work-study, career education, work-place integrated learning, volunteer experiences, and curricular activities that include an experiential component.” Liana Thompson is excited to be leading the new centre as its inaugural director. “We want students to be thinking about how to connect their education to their career earlier, more often, with more exposure to more opportunities. We want to help students recognize that their
academic experience has career relevance. Students learn how to meet deadlines, work with different people, collaborate in groups, advocate for themselves, and assess situations and propose solutions to problems.”
UFV’s Centre for Experiential and Career Education is designed to help students achieve their goals and a $300,000 donation from the RBC Foundation is helping. Recent Bachelor of Science graduate Shayne Oberhoffner says co-operative education work terms exposed him to new career possibilities. He is now pursuing a Master of Science at Wilfred Laurier University. “To me, the opportunity to participate in the co-op experience provided reinforcement for my classroom and laboratory lessons. It put my learning in context. It showed me another path to becoming an impactful, informed scientist.”
BUILDING COMMUNITY
ATTEND A UFV VIRTUAL EVENT Sept 24: Peace and Reconciliation Centre launch with the Honourable Bob Rae and the Honourable Steven Point SCIENCE TALKS ABBOTSFORD A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WITH SCIENCETALKS.CA
Oct 6: The Future of Agriculture Dr. Lenore Newman Nov 3: Building an Innovation Ecosystem Dr. Jon Thomas
Dec 1: Building Reconciliation and Dismantling Settler Colonialism Dr. Keith Carlson
Oct 20 to Nov 10: Pride Culture Conference Nov 16: National Philanthropy Day livestream lunch
Details online at ufv.ca/events
UFV GRADS ON THE FRONTLINES OF COVID-19 One’s a veteran with 20 years of experience. The other is just launching her career. Both are UFV Nursing alumni who are immersed in the battle against COVID-19. Surjeet Meelu (BSN ’00) is program manager of emergency, intensive care, and acute respiratory services at Lions Gate Hospital. Surjeet, who graduated from UFV in 2000, says that the pandemic has stretched her leadership skills, and credits her teams with rising to the challenge with her. “A leader is only as strong as her team. My primary focus was to respond to the needs of our patients and my teams, and ensure that we were able to support our
patients as a system. My teams worked hard to come up with strategies to ensure everyone felt comfortable looking after COVID-19 patients.” Amy Mueller (BSN ’20) finished her nursing degree this past December. “Some of my greatest learning opportunities have also been disguised as some of my greatest challenges. Being a newly graduated RN in the face of a pandemic has been no different.” Amy is currently working with Fraser Health, in addition to working for the Public Health Agency of Canada as part of the federal COVID-19 response.
ufv.ca/community-update
Photo left: Nurses Amy Mueller (BSN ’20) and Surjeet Meelu (BSN ’00) Photo above: A young Chilliwack resident demonstrates his appreciation for health care workers on the front lines.