CICan 2024: What role can colleges play in ensuring an ecological transition?

The annual conference of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) continues to be a flagship event for educational institutions across the country and around the world, providing a platform for sharing innovative and inspiring ideas. Every year, the event brings together college and institute leaders and stakeholders from across the country and around the world. 

This year, over 1,200 participants gathered in Calgary to take part in inspiring speeches, challenging panel discussions and practical workshops aimed at all levels of the education system. 

This year, Collège Nordique was honored to be represented by its General Director, Patrick Arsenault, at the event, which took place in Calgary from April 27 to May 1, 2024.

This year's theme: Cultivating talent for a resilient future 

This year's central theme, “Cultivating talent for a resilient future” resonates deeply in today's context of constant disruption and fast-moving developments. In a world where the needs of the education sector are changing at a breathtaking pace, it is essential to develop the skills, knowledge and capabilities that enable individuals to adapt and thrive.  

One of this year's highlights was the pre-congress on the theme of “Zero Net Emissions: the role of education in ensuring an ecological transition”. This pre-conference highlighted crucial topics such as climate change, sustainable development and reducing the carbon footprint of colleges.  

Patrick Arsenault had the opportunity to address the environmental challenges facing Yellowknife, including the effects of mining activities, accelerated climate change due to its geographic position, and the fragility of its ecosystem. He then led a discussion on the carbon neutrality initiative implemented by Cégep du Vieux Montréal, entitled "l'écologisation du Cégep du Vieux Montréal : un engagement pour l'atteinte de la carboneutralité".

“It's truly inspiring to see the whole process that Cégep du Vieux-Montréal has put in place as part of its greening plan (2021-2025). This initiative should certainly serve as an example for other colleges in Canada”, says Patrick Arsenault. 

A networking opportunity for Collège Nordique 

During the conference itself, the CNF General Manager took the opportunity to network with representatives from other colleges and organizations in Canada and around the world. A particularly rewarding discussion took place with a representative of Employment and Social Development Canada, on the evolution of essential skills. Patrick was also impressed by Collège La Cité's presentation on competency-based learning: “Transformation pédagogique au Collège La Cité : une approche par compétence pour une éducation de qualité” led by, among others, Lynn Casimiro, Vice-President, Teaching and Student Success, recently appointed as the next President of Collège La Cité. 

The event was also a valuable opportunity to highlight Collège Nordique's initiatives here in the North, to forge strong links with other educational institutions and to stay at the forefront of national and international educational trends. 

Beyond the numbers and the rhetoric, the CICan Annual Conference truly embodies the spirit of collaboration, innovation and leadership that drives Canada's educational landscape. It is within this dynamic framework that Collège Nordique pursues its mission to train leaders aware of the importance of carbon neutrality in the near future.