Making Decisions on experience: Why College’s require room to take academic initiatives
By Mehwish Yousufzai, Editorial Associate, Northlands College
In recent times, expectations of higher learning have changed and the demand for some form of post-secondary education has increased dramatically resulting in regional colleges outgrowing their original mandate. Universities, particularly those in urban areas, often lack the infrastructure and manpower to extend their educational programs to rural or remote regions. These areas, however, still have a significant need for academic opportunities. This is where regional colleges play a crucial role. They provide access to education for rural populations who would otherwise face the daunting prospect of relocating to urban centers, where they would encounter unfamiliar socio-economic challenges.
Regional colleges effectively bridge this gap, enabling rural residents to pursue their academic goals without the stress of moving away from home and the difficulties of adapting to a new environment. For nearly four decades, regional colleges have operated successfully within their designated territories and hierarchical structures. However, the landscape of post-secondary education is evolving rapidly. The rise of the Internet, increased student mobility, globalized markets, the knowledge economy, and heightened competition for students are dissolving traditional boundaries.
For example, in places like Saskatchewan, this shift is especially evident. The province’s robust economy, rising immigration rates, and changing labor market demands are calling for colleges to become more adaptable, innovative, and resourceful. Regional colleges are well-positioned to meet these demands, but they must be given the room to take academic initiatives. By doing so, they can continue to serve their communities effectively and ensure that rural populations are not left behind in the rapidly changing educational landscape.
Global Perspectives of Regional College System Challenges
The regional college system, once vital in a different technological era, is now facing significant challenges due to the rapid advancement of technology and the rise of online education. In countries like Pakistan and India, where education in remote and rural areas was historically hindered by poor infrastructure and limited economic opportunities, this system has started to decline. The widespread adoption of technology and remote learning has fundamentally altered the educational landscape.
Different geographic locations present unique challenges and opportunities for educational institutions. Urban centers have come to rely on regional colleges to provide the skills training and academic programming which their regional population requires. This is where regional colleges excel; they have an intimate understanding of local industries and the skill sets needed for their communities to thrive.
In many parts of the world, including developing countries, regional colleges still hold the key to providing relevant and accessible education tailored to local needs. Their deep connection to the ground realities allows them to design programs that directly address the economic and social demands of their regions. However, to remain effective and relevant, these institutions must be allowed to innovate and adapt to the changing educational environment. Regional colleges can innovate by tailoring programs to local demands, adjusting curriculums to meet technical and skill needs, and hiring qualified instructors to address labor shortages. This flexibility, free from multiple approvals and delayed decision times, ensures they can effectively respond to their evolving educational environment., they can continue to play a vital role in empowering rural populations and fostering local economic growth.
Navigating Financial Constraints and Evolving Demands
As stated by Misra & Pugh in their research in 2022, based on a case study in India, their discussion highlights how First, ties through brokered routes should serve as an information gathering device about regional priorities and plans for the institutes leading to deeper engagement with the region later. Although Saskatchewan also has a similar regional college model, the exchange of information is critical. The prairie province, faces similar challenges when providing educational opportunities to rural residents and first nations around the immense and vast northern remote region of Saskatchewan. Karsten Henriksen, President and CEO of Northlands College has a forward-looking perspective where he envisions a post-secondary landscape that transcends traditional boundaries and embraces innovation.
Higher Education Stategy Associates’ recent report shows that for the past decade, higher education systems have been grappling with tightened finances. Colleges have fewer alternative revenue sources compared to universities and therefore rely more heavily on government funding. Even with a greater focus on cost reduction and diversifying revenue streams, the significant challenge for colleges in balancing their open access mission with the need to generate private revenue remains. This objective poses serious challenges due to increasing fees, as maintaining affordable programs for most students becomes more challenging.
However, the question remains, how should the college and government collaborate to reduce the strain caused from these changes? Will the current system support Colleges to be able to respond to Northern requirements? Karsten states, ‘a crucial aspect to bear in mind is the imperative of both is an efficient and effective initiative that enhances the process of program delivery. Effectiveness prompts a careful consideration of how to define the end goal, while efficiency pertains to the optimal allocation of resources—be it money, time, or effort—to attain that goal.’ Evaluating the organizational performance of colleges necessitates a thorough examination of inputs and outputs as well as an assessment of how the actual outcomes align with the initial policy objectives. Over the past few years, shifts in the learning environment, evolving government requirements, and a burgeoning spirit of innovation such as the recent Metaverse Campus launched by Northlands College have led to some challenges within the regional college system.
Beyond Borders: Building a Collaborative College System
Until recently, the college system operated primarily as a collection of individual entities. Each college was allocated a specific territory and tasked with establishing connections with local and provincial partners. Consequently, there were limited formal structures to mandate, or even promote. There was not any collaboration happening beyond the exchange of information. The colleges faced challenges in their offerings because they weren’t able to operate in a synchronized fashion, nor address agreed-upon requirements as well as any provincially mandated goals.
Instead of viewing each other as potential allies, they tended to perceive one another as potential competitors. The perception of colleges competing largely stems from their emphasis on territorial focus, which is a prominent aspect of their mission. Many college leaders, board members, and community stakeholders subscribe to the idea that the region comprises “our” students, and the college’s purpose is to cater to them. Students who choose to pursue courses elsewhere are seen as a loss to the region, while those coming from other regions might be viewed as displacing local, qualified applicants. This mindset is reinforced by the need to assure residents within the region that local community needs are being addressed. Instead of looking outward to tackle broader system-wide issues, colleges feel compelled to look inward to meet the expectations of local supporters, who are primarily concerned with preserving or expanding offerings in the small towns and cities of rural Saskatchewan.
Karsten Henriksen believes a longstanding strength lies in the exchange of information among academic managers, which he sees as instrumental in fostering coordination. Their yearly gatherings present chances to discuss program planning and assess the demand for various programs. Additionally, facilities like mobile teaching labs for welding, plumbing, and electrical work serve as avenues to synchronize offerings and pool resources. But this is not happening now and a missed opportunity for all constituents.
Dependency Dilemma: The Limitations of Brokering
Colleges have a strong connection with local industry and can provide customized programs to meet specific educational needs on short notice. However, a significant portion of college programs are outsourced from other universities. This “brokering” involves offering another institution’s program locally. Students pay fees and receive a credential recognized by the institution that originated the program. In this model, colleges serve as physical locations where programs are delivered, and proximity is the main advantage from the student’s perspective. Karsten emphasizes, ‘under this model, the added value provided by the college is limited, as instructors and curriculum must be approved by the senior institutions and cannot be substantially modified. Self-determination in education has always been the goal and purpose of the community college movement throughout north America dating back to the 1950s. The intended purpose of this self-determination was and is to support labor market needs in a timely manner while empowering intergenerational change in economic circumstance. Rural and northern residents are proud of their communities and what to see them grow and thrive.
In foresight, he reinstates the fact we need to visit and explore whether the industry requires labor with the skillset based of these brokered programs. At the heart of many of the most significant changes in global higher education is the erosion of universities’ ability to grant degrees and the policy changes that have accompanied this shift. Not only Saskatchewan’s approach in the past few years, but the demand for Micro Credentials and online access to classes has also opened new avenues for rural learners to obtain in-demand skill sets.
In an address to the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education on June 3, 2008, Parkland Regional College now Parkland College CEO Dr. Fay Myers observed that the goals of Saskatchewan’s Regional Colleges need to change in response to the booming economy. She argues that the Regional Colleges need to take a “collaborative systems approach” to providing education in Saskatchewan and must be aware “of global forces” while developing “innovative industry partnerships” and “providing niche training. In Saskatchewan, the degrees are awarded by specific Universities, such as University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Institute and SIIT.
If these institutions, do not have the programs required or co-developed with regional college inputs, there should be a discussion to allow new degree providers into a system therefore has the potential to provide more access and amore equipped work-force to meet the standard of Industry 4.0.
Collaborating with federal government
Regional colleges affairs are largely impacted by approvals for programming and capital investments and reporting criteria for budgets. From the perspective of the colleges, the approval process for new programs is a challenge. Some proposals are being shelved and many of the discussions on this topic require more insight. A proper collaborative framework to gauge program quality, industry requirements and population surveys will enhance overall program decision making.
Many colleges face challenges with this current system, which leads to the entire process of process getting programs approved to even processing applications is excessively cumbersome, with little apparent action taken based on the gathered information. While the officials acknowledge the demanding nature of the reporting requirements, they attribute some of the paperwork to federal mandates.
Whether in aggregate terms or in terms of specific skills and trades, the province requires post-secondary institutions that can keep the province competitive internationally. Saskatchewan needs to unleash the province’s capacity to meet its educational needs and that will mean rethinking the role of all players, including Northlands College.
“I note that given recent announcement related to international education that the Government of Canada has failed to play it role in providing financial support to many rural and remote northern communities.