Join Extended Education for our inaugural UM Homecoming webinar.
Let’s talk lifelong learning
Learn about current trends in continuing education and what they could mean for you at free webinar
Since you completed your studies at UM, the professional world has been changing and will continue to change. Knowing how, and what you can do about it, will empower you to make the best decisions possible on your career path.
“Awareness means more choices,” says David Mandzuk, Acting Dean, Extended Education. “If you are aware, you have time to think about what it means for you. It puts you in the driver’s seat. You can take note, and decide how it applies to you and your aspirations, and then be proactive in charting your own professional path.”
Join Extended Education on Friday Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for our inaugural UM Homecoming webinar, “Let’s talk lifelong learning: Current trends in continuing education”, and learn about the lifelong learning opportunities offered by the University of Manitoba that are available for you and your team. There is no cost, but registration is required.
This webinar is being offered because alumni who participated in a recent UM Alumni survey reported that they are definitely interested in staying connected with the university and learning about lifelong learning opportunities and other upskilling and reskilling programs. And of course, that’s where Extended Education comes in.
Your home for lifelong learning
“We provide lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling for both domestic and international students. Students come to us as individuals or through our partnership programs with businesses and organizations, partnership programs like Applied Management (known as CAM or the Certificate in Applied Management). We have a number of entry points for students,” says Mandzuk.
In his previous roles at the university, most recently as Dean of the Faculty of Education, Mandzuk has been involved in UM Homecoming for almost 20 years. “For me, it’s always been a highlight of the year,” he says. “And it’s a great way for alumni to demonstrate their love for their academic home. In our case, we would also like UM grads to think of us in Extended Education as their home for lifelong learning.”
As the workplace becomes more automated, more competitive and more global, it is essential for successful professionals to know what the landscape looks like and which education options are available to them, says Rod Lastra, Associate Dean (Academic), Extended Education. “We will provide them with a realistic picture of where we are going and what we offer including recent trends in continuing education both locally and nationally.”
With Extended Education, students can build on their degree, diploma, or experience and earn UM credentials including certificates, micro-certificates, and soon micro-credentials — short programs with digital documenting of skills and competencies learned — to their resumes.
“Micro-credentials are coming,” says Lastra, “They are valued and recognized by industry. These short credential programs are important. They help professionals to pivot particularly during times of disruption. But they are not going to replace undergraduate degrees. They can be added on, to build on the foundational skills people already have. They are part of the larger education learning web.”
Many of Extended Education’s non-degree programs can serve as a great addition to an existing degree or a complementary and concurrent program of study for current degree students. For example, add an Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning Solutions (AI) credential to your science degree, or a Business Information Modeling (BIM) certificate to your engineering degree.
The webinar will share Extended Education’s latest offerings including the new AI and BIM programs that are scheduled to be offered starting in January 2022.
“If you have completed a degree and are wondering what comes next, we can help you,” says Lastra. “Come to us. We have the expertise. We are recognizing local needs and translating them into national currency for lifelong learners.”
Whether you come as a student or as a potential partner like an employer looking for a professional development training option for your staff, or as UM faculty wanting to develop lifelong learning opportunities with us, Lastra says, “We are certainly open for business. We have been meeting with university and industry, and we continue to do this. Our work is not stand-alone. We need a strong arm in both areas.”
Learn more and register now for Extended Education’s homecoming webinar.