Dr. Adrienne Galway, Executive Director of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) was joined by Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, and Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO of Humber College, to announce 39 new projects focused on supporting postsecondary learner mobility.
Over the next year, ONCAT is flowing over $2.8 million to support learner mobility projects at 35 colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes in Ontario. These projects aim to empower learners by recognizing previous education and professional experiences and facilitating smoother transitions between programs and institutions.
For its part, Carleton University will receive $75,000 to support The Development of an Institutional Micro-credential Framework, Guidelines, and Templates to Enhance Student Mobility project. This project aims to enhance student transfer by creating an institutional framework, guidelines, and templates for micro-credentials. The framework and decision-making process will include stand-alone and stackable micro-credentials, which can be transferred into a larger credit program. The initiative will also provide educators with templates for designing high-quality micro-credentials efficiently.
“Empowering learners with accessible pathways to navigate their educational journey is key to helping them achieve their professional and academic goals,” said Dr. Galway. “The increased funding will promote improved transitions between institutions and programs, helping learners get where they want to go.”
“The Ontario government is proud to support ONCAT’s important work to make it easier for learners of all backgrounds to pursue their educational goals,” said Minister Jill Dunlop. “By facilitating smoother transitions and recognizing the wealth of knowledge gained through previous experience, we are fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment to advance student success in Ontario.”
“We are grateful for ONCAT’s support and assistance in advancing this project that will expand Carleton University’s micro-credential offerings in alignment with the Strategic Integrated Plan by enhancing flexible learning opportunities, improving employability outcomes, and boosting academic success,” said David Hornsby, Vice Provost & Associate Vice-President (Academic).
In Fall of 2023, ONCAT initiated calls for projects for greater accessibility and impact within the postsecondary sector. This call was met with an unprecedented number of applications from postsecondary institutions, demonstrating a growing interest to support greater learner mobility, expand access to postsecondary opportunities and improve pathways to the labour market.
Established in 2011, the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer plays a pivotal role in supporting learner mobility, working to reduce barriers for students seeking to transfer among the province’s public colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes. For more information, visit www.oncat.ca. ONCAT is funded by the Government of Ontario.
For information regarding the micro-credential initiative at Carleton, contact Hashmat Khan, Associate Vice-President (Academic Programs and Strategic Initiatives) at Hashmat.Khan@carleton.ca.