Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Academic Model: Disrupting the Status Quo

Abstract

In 2014, Saskatchewan Polytechnic set out to create a vision for program delivery that would meet the needs of industry and students well into the future while building on existing strengths. Through a highly collaborative process, the Academic Model was created with more than 100 commitments to changing the status quo. Since 2016, the implementation of the Model has moved Saskatchewan Polytechnic forward as a polytechnic: adding employability skills, work-integrated learning, applied research and Indigenization to curriculum, as well as making learning more flexible for students and reinforcing quality assurance in program design. However, disruption comes with some discomfort, and this presentation shared the lessons learned about change management and communication along the way.