About – CICan Connection Conference

CICan’s annual conference is the only event of its kind in Canada. It provides an opportunity for college and institute leaders and stakeholders from across the country and around the world to network, share best practices, and be inspired. This can’t-miss event features panels, workshops, and keynote addresses in a variety of streams that speak to all levels of leaders in the system.

Over 1200 participants will gather to reflect and discuss on how higher education is growing talent for a resilient future.

Growing talent for a resilient future is a critical part of building a workforce that involves cultivating skills, knowledge, and abilities to adapt and thrive in uncertain times, disruption, and evolving industry needs. The future is unpredictable, and resilience is a key attribute to ensure a graduate’s success in a rapidly changing world.

This theme resonates with our host institutions, Bow Valley College and SAIT, and with our amazing host city Calgary, renowned as a hub attracting and growing talent into areas like high tech, agriculture, energy, and tourism.

What to expect

1200+ attendees

50+ live and pre-recorded sessions and presentations

100+ speakers

Comprehensive, easy-to-use mobile app

Innovative and engaging keynote speakers

Marketplace featuring products and services

Streams

The conference is organized into seven streams, outlined below. All sessions will be future oriented, solutions based and address three or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Advancing Teaching, Learning and Student Success

This stream will focus on how colleges and institutes orient themselves to ensure the success of their students, create inclusive campus spaces, promote both physical and mental health, and use new technologies to strengthen support services. Sessions will explore how innovative teaching and assessment methods can take learning beyond the typical classroom setting, including virtual and blended learning, traditional Indigenous ways of knowing, and work-integrated learning in the world of AI.

Cultivating Global Collaborations

Geared towards international education experts and practitioners, this stream will explore how international partnerships, fostering student mobility, pioneering innovations in international assistance, and fostering applied research collaborations are shaping a workforce that is not just ready for the future but is designed to thrive in it.

Embracing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

This stream will look at how institutions can ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are part of their operational plans and strategic priorities. With social justice on the minds of the students we serve and the staff we employ, embracing EDI practices is a key to organizational success. Sessions will focus on promising practices, lived experiences and growth opportunities when implementing EDI practices in post-secondary education.

Innovating through Applied Research

Colleges and institutes occupy a critical space in Canada’s innovation ecosystem through their diverse and growing applied research capacity. College and institute applied research has been and will continue to be a key driver in strengthening the economic resiliency and competitiveness of Canada’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)and fostering innovation in communities through social innovation research. Applied research plays an important role in developing Canada’s talent pipeline as it provides space for learners to collaborate with SMEs to research, analyze and develop solutions to real-world challenges.

Leading Sustainability

This stream will examine how colleges and institutes can expand their leadership role in contributing to the SDGs and ensuring sustainability across multiple sectors. Sessions will be guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to include areas like curriculum development, solutions-oriented approaches to applied research, and designing smart green campuses. Sessions will also look at strategies that colleges and institutes are implementing to deliver a just and green transition to a net zero future.

Strengthening Indigenous Education

The right of Indigenous peoples to education is protected by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples along with other international human rights instruments including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This stream will focus on best practices and solutions to improve the access to higher education and ensure the retention and success of Indigenous learners at colleges and institutes and in the labour market.

Transforming Leadership and Governance

Geared towards governance professionals, including board members and CEOs, this stream will focus on how institutional leaders are embracing transformational leadership and governance to effect change within their institutions and contribute to the socio-economic well-being of their communities.