New strategic plan focuses on people, maintaining academic excellence
The Faculty of Education has unveiled its strategic plan for the next six years.
The Transforming education, transforming lives strategic plan is focusing on five areas: Education’s place in the world; Indigenous Education is sui generis (a thing of its own); People, community, culture, and belonging; Professional pathways and academic excellence; and Research impact.
Hundreds of stakeholders, which included faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community partners, were consulted the document’s creation, Education dean Donna Kotsopoulos said. The process focused on listening and collaborative authoring.
“We’re committed to leading and contributing to teaching excellence in research-intensive academic and professional programs,” she said. “We’re also determined to continue to provide world-class research that benefits society.”
The strategic plan also commits Western Education to advancing the United Nations’ sustainability goals of ensuring quality education, gender equality, and fostering peace, justice and strong institutions while at the same time aligning with the university’s strategic plan, Towards Western at 150, Kotsopoulos said.
She added the new strategic plan also focuses on the Faculty’s success. Over the last 10 years, Western Education has been ranked in the top 20 per cent of faculties of education worldwide.
“We’ve grown our student population over 100 per cent in the last decade,” Kotsopoulos said. “This growth can be characterized by committed faculty and staff, extraordinary students, excellence in research, and innovative academic programming - while attending authentically to local and global societal needs.”
The strategic plan is in effect until 2028.
