WELCOME

Welcome to the second edition of the WACE Newsletter aimed at helping you stay connected to Co-operative & Work Integrated Education (CWIE) happenings across the globe.  There is so much going on, especially in the midst of all the pandemic fall out, and this newsletter is one way we can help you stay apprised of major happenings in CWIE around the world.

In this newsletter there are updates from the WACE Secretariat, WACE Member profiles, and information on the next WACE Global Conversations webinars. There are also national associations’ updates, recent news on CWIE research, some valuable WIL resources and further reading in the International Journal of WIL.

WACE SECRETARIAT UPDATE

Dear WACE Colleague,

There are a lot of exciting things happening within WACE itself that we would like to share with you. We have now transitioned the Secretariat from University of Massachusetts Lowell in Boston to the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.  As we leave the Boston home that WACE has enjoyed for so many years, we are also saying goodbye to several of our Boston-based staff whom many of you know.  A huge thank you is extended to Paul, Marty, Michelle, Mark and Danielle who managed WACE affairs for so many years.  As part of this move, we have also shifted to a new management model for the association. While the work of WACE will continue to be guided by the Executive Committee, a small team will lead several key portfolios:

• Dr. N. Johnston, Vice-Chair, Charter Initiatives
• Ms. J. Kay, Vice-Chair, Partnerships and Programs
• Dr. N. McRae, Vice-Chair, Strategy and Operations
• Dr. J. Stellar, Vice-Chair, Finance and Audit\

This group of Vice-Chairs has already undertaken quite a few initiatives including:

• Launching a new WACE website based upon the review conducted last year
• Initiating a WACE webinar series, Global Conversations, with the first two webinars attended by over 450 participants from 15 countries, with a third webinar planned on the topic ‘COVID-19 and Emerging WIL Research’
• Starting this newsletter as a way to better ensure connections and information dissemination during the pandemic and beyond
• Incorporating WACE to operate as a legal entity (not for profit) within Canada and established the University of Waterloo as the new home of the Secretariat
• Establishing the WACE secretariat function which has provided the opportunity to set up new, streamlined systems for managing the operations and memberships to significantly reduce overhead costs to enable the availability of more funds for program development
• Transitioning WACE financial structures to the new WACE Secretariat including establishing billing mechanisms, transferring insurance and long term financial planning, developing budget projections and audit requirements
• Starting a feedback process with surveys to inform the planning of future events and services
• Instigating the development of new programs and services to meet WACE member needs
• Finalizing a new membership model for WACE that focuses on strengthening our base through increasing access and diversity. Membership options have been added to help ensure access through a range of options that generally reflect reduced prices, especially as they are now in Canadian dollars (vs. USD)! And, as we begin our membership drive in the next couple of weeks we look forward to seeing many returning and new members join WACE.

The Vice-Chair Team is excited by the many possibilities afforded by WACE as we take this big step in our evolution. We look forward to exploring those possibilities with, and for, you. We hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter and that you and yours remain well.

Cheers,

Nancy Johnston, Judie Kay, Norah McRae and Jim Stellar

BECOME A WACE MEMBER

Consider joining WACE as members have access to member only programmes and discounts for events and professional development planned for 2020 / 2021.

Memberships for the next year are now open. Full member benefits, fees and application details are here.

WACE MEMBER SURVEY

WACE is seeking feedback to help shape our services and programmes moving forward. Many thanks to those of you who have already completed the survey.  Responses so far indicate that:

• Conferences, symposiums and webinars were highly valued either in person or done virtually
• Access to information on trends, resources and good practice as well as newsletters were also valued
• Topics suggested for future activities include:
  • strategies to manage COVID -19 including virtual internships
  • innovation and WIL
  • WIL quality
  • global WIL strategy
  • reflective practice
  • WIL research
  • industry trends

This information is extremely valuable and we are using it to further develop our Global Conversations webinar series and other planned services.

If you would like to add your feedback, please let us know what you would like to see from WACE by completing this survey.

WACE MEMBER PROFILES

WACE WELCOMES NAMIBIA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs through their innovative academic programs. NUST stimulates entrepreneurship through active and applied learning, which includes work-integrated learning, enterprise development, simulations, gaming and artificial intelligence.

The university embedded Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in all its undergraduate programmes with a minimum of 36 credits making up 10% of the overall credits of the programme or a condition for graduation.

To support the faculties that manage WIL, NUST adopted the cooperative education model to facilitate the WIL placement activities and to link the university to industry and community. The Cooperative Education Unit at NUST facilitates Pre-WIL work readiness and Mentorship workshops to support the successful implementation of WIL.

More insights captured in this video.

WACE NEW HOST INSTITUTION

The University of Waterloo is honoured to be the new host institution for the World Association of Co-operative Education (WACE) Secretariat.

The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, land promised to Six Nations, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

Co-operative Education is part of the University of Waterloo’s DNA. From the humble beginnings of this institution in 1957, co-op and work-integrated learning opportunities have remained an integral part of Waterloo’s vision and mission. Waterloo has six faculties: Applied Health Sciences, Arts, Engineering, Environment, Math and Science with 41,000 full and part-time students cumulatively between undergraduate and graduate programs (Fall 2019). The Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) unit is led by Dr. Norah McRae and is comprised of Co-operative Education, the Work-Learn Institute, Work-integrated Learning (WIL) Programs and the Centre for Career Action.

Over time, CEE has evolved to meet changing industries, technologies and economies. Today we connect with over 7000 employers in over 60 countries around the world. We look forward to collaborating with our diverse and innovative members. We will face today’s complex social and economic challenges with adaptability and resilience as we go beyond our limitations to build a strong future for our students.

Dr. Norah McRae
I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishnaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

WIL AROUND THE WORLD

WACE brings together national associations from across the world regularly to share practice, research and strategy.