Mohawk to focus on innovation
Wade Hemsworth
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 12, 2008)
It's not just ideas that count. It's making ideas work that gives them value.
This is the basis of a philosophical shift for Mohawk College, which rolled out a new strategic vision yesterday, one that will guide operations over the next six years.
"It builds on our commitment to learning, leadership and citizenship," said college president MaryLynn West-Moynes. "What we believe is that our graduates have to go into the workforce with an understanding of applying innovation."
The college's new vision strongly emphasizes applied innovation, flowing from a guiding statement that says:
"Mohawk College will be the most sought-after Canadian post-secondary destination: renowned for its 'real world' applied innovation culture, and future-ready graduates with the skills required for today and the ability to prosper from tomorrow's opportunities."
About 500 faculty and staff members gathered at the Fennell Avenue campus for the presentation.
The new plan sets four broad priorities for the college as it develops a "relentlessly innovative" culture:
- Learning that emphasizes individualized plans, external workplace experiences and classrooms that function as "living labs."
- Overall emphasis on applied innovation and research for staff and students, including a new applied-innovation centre.
- Partnerships, including a new corporation for business-to-business training.
- Multi-campus redevelopment to expand learning facilities, including virtual learning spaces.
Recent graduate Bethany Loney drew a standing ovation when she told the assembly about applying her own social innovation. Loney was inspired by the fatal overdose of a friend to create Serenity Cafe -- a place in downtown Hamilton where people recovering from addiction and mental health problems would gather in a safe, welcoming environment that would also serve as an access point for information and community services.
She had no idea how to realize her goal until she studied small business management at the college, and has now emerged with a solid business plan and the expectation she can open her cafe soon.
"I don't think we can afford to have college graduates who aren't like Bethany," West-Moynes said. "We have to walk the talk."
whemsworth@thespec.com 905-526-3254