Innovation and differentiation in Canada’s post-secondary institutions

In the global economy, it is increasingly recognized that knowledge is the key to competitive success for Canada as a nation, as well as to the success of individuals in the labour market. Universities and colleges, in particular, have a central role in generating knowledge and fostering innovation, through both their teaching and research activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the state of innovation on Canadian university and college campuses in two specific areas: teaching and learning; and research dissemination. The kinds of innovations of interest were those which involve changes in general practice at an institution or across institutions and, in particular, innovations designed to place an institution at the forefront of a field or to differentiate the institution in some way from other similar institutions. The work was carried out in two stages. The first stage consisted of a series of interviews with provincial officials and a brief survey of post-secondary institutions. These were intended to examine the climate for innovation and to help identify examples of innovations. In the second stage, six examples of innovative practices were examined in more detail.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner.

In the global economy, it is increasingly recognized that knowledge is the key to competitive success for Canada as a nation, as well as to the success of individuals in the labour market. Universities and colleges, in particular, have a central role in generating knowledge and fostering innovation, through both their teaching and research activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the state of innovation on Canadian university and college campuses in two specific areas: teaching and learning; and research dissemination. The kinds of innovations of interest were those which ...  [+] Show more