Surrey\u2019s Western Community College hosts B.C. education conference<\/p>\n
Published 5:57 pm Wednesday, April 29, 2026<\/p>\n
Leaders from British Columbia\u2019s independent degree-granting institutions are gathering in Surrey for the 2026 IDGI BC Conference \u2013 with their eyes on AI, experiential learning and workforce readiness.<\/p>\n
The two-day event, focused on the future of post-secondary education in a rapidly evolving global landscape, is being hosted at Western Community College on Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1.<\/p>\n
The conference brings together academic leaders, researchers, and institutional decision-makers to explore how education is adapting to shifts in artificial intelligence, experiential learning, and workforce alignment, a press release notes.<\/p>\n
The conference represents \u201ca coordinated effort by institutions across the province to engage in shared dialogue and knowledge exchange \u2014 a move toward stronger sector alignment at a time when education systems are under pressure to evolve,\u201d the release says.<\/p>\n
Participants include faculty and leadership from institutions such as Yorkville University, University Canada West, LaSalle College Vancouver, New York Institute of Technology, Acsenda School of Management, and others.<\/p>\n
Under the theme \u201cBeyond Content: Empowering Achievement through Experiential Practice for a Changing World,\u201d the conference emphasizes applied learning models that move beyond traditional classroom delivery.<\/p>\n
Sessions throughout the two days will explore:<\/p>\n
\u25cf work-integrated learning and curriculum innovation<\/p>\n
\u25cf career readiness and student outcomes<\/p>\n
\u25cf reflective learning, assessment models, and real-world application.<\/p>\n
A significant portion of the conference is dedicated to understanding the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education, including ethical use of AI in academic work, AI literacy and AI integration in teaching and assessment.<\/p>\n
The conference also incorporates Indigenous perspectives through dedicated programming, including an Indigenous cooking workshop and a keynote session by Musqueam artist Debra Sparrow.<\/p>\n
These sessions emphasize cultural awareness, place-based learning, and the role of Indigenous knowledge in shaping inclusive education systems.<\/p>\n
The conference features keynote sessions from Dr. Delbar Niroushak, leadership and business development coach, and Morten Rand-Hendriksen, principal instructor at LinkedIn.<\/p>\n