Ute Kothe, Minister Renée Cable (Advanced Education and Training, Manitoba government), Ivan Nunez Gamez, Robin Attas, Tina Chen, Cintia Costa, René Ouellette at the EDIA Micro-certificate launch event on July 4.
Transforming our community through equity education
New EDIA micro-certificate builds capacity for change
A new micro-certificate program is available for UM staff, students and faculty to develop skills in advancing equity and accessibility at UM. The first courses of the micro-certificate in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA), as well as the prerequisite course EDIA 0100: Foundations, will be offered in this Fall Term.
The micro-certificate consists of three courses: EDIA 0102: Expansions, EDIA 0104: Actions, and EDIA 0106: Reflections. Rooted in competency-based education, the courses focus on critical reflection of the learner’s knowledge, skills and lived experience and building capacity for participation in transformative practices, processes, and policies to advance EDIA at UM and beyond. Importantly, the EDIA micro-certificate is offered at no cost to the learner.
A commitment to our community
The micro-certificate is part of a broader strategic response to the recommendations of the President’s Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and other reports calling for enhanced education and training for staff, faculty, and students in EDIA.
Developed through extensive consultation with a wide range of groups and individuals holding diverse social identities, roles, areas of expertise, and lived experiences, the program complements other education and training initiatives related to anti-oppression, social justice, Truth and Reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenization.
“This program is unique in Canada, emphasizing the development of individual competencies that will transform how our community learns and takes action together,” says Tina Chen, Vice-Provost (Equity). “The EDIA micro-certificate marks a significant milestone, demonstrating the university’s commitment to investing in our community to ensure actions are based in on-going learning as we strive to make real progress towards addressing inequities, narrowing gaps resulting from ableism, racisms, sexism, homo and trans-phobia, and other systemic oppressions, and working for meaningful diversity and a vibrant community. It also demonstrates the tremendous enthusiasm for this continued work from across the University of Manitoba.”
Celebrating progress
That enthusiasm was evident at the July 4 launch event celebrating this critical movement toward building individual and collective transformation at UM. Hosted by the Office of Equity Transformation and the Division of Extended Education, the event featured remarks from collaborating partners within UM as well as the Honourable Renée Cable, Manitoba Minister of Advanced Education and Training. Attendees also heard from two participants of the first cohort of the EDIA: Foundations course, who shared stories of personal and professional growth from the experience.
“We are witnessing the beginning of a transformation,” says Ute Kothe, Dean of the Division of Extended Education. “Learners are asked to develop and implement projects that improve equity and accessibility at UM. In the next years, we will celebrate transformative change creating vibrant and inclusive communities across our campuses, resulting from actions taken by the thoughtful and passionate learners from this program.”
How to apply
To register for the EDIA Micro-certificate program, applicants must complete the pre-requisite course, EDIA 0100: Foundations. Applications for the next EDIA: Foundations opens to UM staff, faculty and students on July 22 to August 8.
Learn more about the EDIA Micro-certificate.