The Micro-certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) is a program to build on the EDIA: Foundations course for all of us in the UM Community including UM students, staff, and faculty.
From one course to a micro-certificate
New EDIA program for UM community coming this Fall
It began with one course, and now there is also a follow-up program to continue to improve your Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) knowledge and skills, and earn a UM micro-certificate.
UM students, staff, and faculty who have completed the prerequisite course, EDIA: Foundations, will soon be able to apply to the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) micro-certificate program and register for its three courses. The first two courses will be offered in Fall 2024.
“There isn’t another program like this in Canada, with this scope, and offered at no cost to the learner,” says Robin Attas, an EDIA-focused educational developer seconded from the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning to develop and facilitate the first offering.
The prerequisite course – Foundations
The first offering of the prerequisite course wraps up in June. “It has been amazing,” says Attas. “It was exciting watching people interact with each other across roles. Staff, faculty, undergraduate and graduate students were all having important conversations and helping each other to learn more. Everyone was teaching and learning from each other.”
Learners who have completed it can now continue their EDIA learning journey with the EDIA micro-certificate.
The micro-certificate – Expansions, Actions, Reflections
The Micro-certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility includes three courses: EDIA: Expansions, EDIA: Actions, and EDIA: Reflections. The first two can be taken together or one after the other. The third course allows learners to reflect on what they learned and what comes next, says Attas.
This Extended Education program is a great choice for personal and professional growth, for career advancement and lifelong learning. It is offered in partnership with the Office of Equity Transformation and with the support of the UM President’s Office as part of UM’s efforts to improve equity and access across UM campuses by educating and empowering UM staff, students and faculty to contribute to individual and collective transformation.
Help the university meet commitments
“This is a program for everyone, to bring us all together to grow and learn in topics and skills related to EDIA,” says Attas. “It is a way to help the university meet its institutional commitments to respond to many UM reports and task forces: President’s Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Final Report, Responding to Sexual Violence, Harassment and Discrimination at the University of Manitoba: A Path Forward, Anti-Racism Task Force Interim Recommendations to Address Racism, University of Manitoba Indigenous Senior Leadership report.
“We can all do and learn more. Whether you are an expert or just beginning your journey with EDIA, you have a place in this program.”
Of the learners in the original cohort, she says, “I met people who are so passionate and engaged in EDIA. The program will continue the momentum.”
Apply for the prerequisite
Attas looks forward to facilitating the second session of the prerequisite course this fall.
EDIA: Foundations course applications are open from July 22 to August 8 and learners will again be invited to participate through a lottery process. Learn how to apply to the EDIA: Foundations course.
Learn more about the program
The EDIA micro-certificate program courses will be offered this fall. Those who have completed the prerequisite are invited to apply to the program and register for courses.