Education

12 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT • SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 EDUCATION GUIDE A s students, faculty and staff prepare to re- turn to The University of Winnipeg post- pandemic, there are feelings of hope and optimism on campus. "I'm exceptionally proud of the way faculty and staff members persevered over the past year and a half to en- sure students received the best possible educational ex- perience. That commitment is continuing as we gear up for a successful back-to-school experience that balances in-person and remote learning," said Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. James Currie. While remote learning alternatives will continue to be available, more than 40 per cent of UWinnipeg classes will be taught in person beginning in September 2021 and the majority of winter-term course instruction will be in the classroom. Jane Lothian has been teaching remote and in-person classes for several years. Her interactive classes encourage students to take risks, share ideas, and challenge miscon- ceptions — absent of judgment or criticism. "I love teaching both face-to-face classes and online, and see advantages in both settings," she said. "Students who strive to succeed, and who seek connection, can have a very positive experience regardless of how the course is delivered." REVITALIZING INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE While Cameron Adams prefers in-person classes to on- line learning, he says studying remotely has gone better than expected. "The best thing about online learning for me is I can do it at my own pace," he said. "My grades this past semester have been better than ever but it's been a lot of work and I miss studying in the Aboriginal Student Services Centre. I used to spend so much time there it felt like my office." Adams is a student in UWinnipeg's Integrated Bach- elor of Education, which will include a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Languages thanks to a new thematic major launching this fall. While developing the program, Indigenous Academic Lead Dr. Lorena Fontaine connected with community members, students, Elders, and language keepers to iden- tify what was most important to them. The program is the first of its kind in Manitoba and will provide students with the tools and knowledge to com- municate, research and advocate for Indigenous languag- es, such as Cree and Ojibwe. ADDRESSING COMPLEX HUMAN-ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES The world is changing rapidly — with environmental and social challenges growing in both number and mag- nitude. From the implications of COVID-19 to managing the social and ecological impacts of energy production, there is an urgency to address human impact on the en- vironment. With this in mind, The University of Winnipeg is also launching a new, two-year Master in Environmental and Social Change. The program will train graduates to ad- dress complex human-environmental issues and provide opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research at the intersection of natural and social sciences. "Graduates will be able to communicate information across disciplinary boundaries, so scientists will be able to speak effectively to CEOs, policy makers, and social sci- entists, and vice versa," said Dr. Ryan Bullock, Co-Chair of the program, Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, and Canada Re- search Chair in Human-Environment Interactions. GETTING #BACK2GETHER With preparations for the fall semester underway, stu- dents, faculty and staff are encouraged to follow the ad- 2 1 2 2 A L L A G E S . A L L D I S C I P L I N E S . R W B S C H O O L D A N C E E N S E M B L E S T U D E N T ; P H O T O B Y K R I S T E N S A W A T Z K Y R W B . O R G / R E G I S T E R S E P T 1 2 , 2 0 2 1 – J U N 0 1 , 2 0 2 2 R E G I S T E R B Y O C T 1 5 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG SUPPLIED More than 40 per cent of UWinnipeg classes will be taught in-person beginning in September 2021. Back to school, back to (near) normal University of Winnipeg to deliver blend of in-person and remote learning this fall e best thing about online learning for me is I can do it at my own pace." — Cameron Adams, student, University of Winnipeg SUPPLIED The new Master in Environmental and Social Change will train graduates to address complex human-environmental issues. vice of health officials and get vaccinated as soon as possible. Getting two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine is the quickest way to return to the complete UWinnipeg experience. Use the hashtag #Back2gether to share your vaccination stories, and with your help, we look forward to being back to (near) normal this fall. Visit uwinnipeg.ca to learn more about The University of Winnipeg. UW student Cameron Adams (centre) looks forward to studying again in the Aboriginal Student Services Centre. SUPPLIED

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