KPU hosts its inaugural Community Day in Richmond
The event aims to build, strengthen, and celebrate community collaborations among KPU and its diverse communities
In light of celebrating local communities and partnerships, Kwantlen Polytechnic University is hosting its first-ever Community Day at the Richmond campus on May 27 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. The event will have games, refreshments, live entertainment, campus tours, and networking opportunities for everyone to enjoy.
Through this event, the KPU community engagement and major events department aims to build and strengthen connections among the university and the diverse communities surrounding its five campuses. It’s also an opportunity for current and future students to learn more about KPU initiatives in the neighborhood.
“From expanding [co-operative education] co-op opportunities for our students by liaising with future employers to staying in touch with KPU alumni and championing their achievements, to ensuring that our communities are well aware of our 140, hands-on KPU programs available to learners from all walks of life, KPU Community Day is all about connection, ” says Kim McGill, manager of community engagement and major events at KPU.
Some major activities being held on campus include open houses and faculty showcases, which are primarily for recruitment. The event offers a unique opportunity to open up to the public and highlight community engagement and involvement within and outside KPU.
“Especially with COVID-19 finally in our rear-view mirror in terms of restrictions, [it’s time] to start to re-energize in all of our communities,” McGill says.
“Once you’re building those connections and partnerships and opportunities, all sorts of wonderful collaborations can happen.”
A Community Impact Award will also be presented to the City of Richmond’s parks department, recognizing its agriculture and food systems in addition to its partnership with KPU. The award serves as a testament of community collaboration for students.
This special recognition runs under the Carnegie Foundation’s Classification for Community Engagement, a pilot initiative which adapts the Carnegie framework for advancing and recognizing collaborative and community-engaged work in a Canadian context.
“So, [16] universities in Canada decided to take part in this pilot program where we worked with a designation in the United States called the Carnegie Community Engagement designation. It basically says you’re in university or a higher education institution that values community and partnership, ” says Larissa Petrillo, KPU lead for the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification Working Group.
“Our Canadian version of it is really nice because [there are] Canadian features like an emphasis and collaboration with Indigenous communities that are so essential for the higher education institutions in Canada.”
Petrillo also says KPU Community Day serves as the right avenue to present this award as the initiative and event are about collaboration and connection.
Students, faculty, staff, and the public are all invited to attend KPU Community Day. Attendees will have the chance to win prizes, like free tuition waivers, and enjoy refreshments provided by community partners like Coca-Cola and Nando’s chicken.
To learn more and to RSVP for the event, head to www.kpu.ca/communityday.
