KPU senate approves brewing certificate, diploma in engineering physics, and psychology micro-credentials

Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s senate passed a certificate in brewing, diploma in engineering physics, and psychology micro-credentials in addition to approving new, discontinued, and revised courses during a meeting on April 28. 

KPU President Alan Davis started the meeting by acknowledging the attack at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on April 26. 

“We stand in solidarity with all those affected. We grieve for the lives lost, for the families who are now facing unimaginable pain, and for a community that deserves only love and safety,” Davis said. “It’s heartbreaking to see people with such a beautiful spirit meet with such violence.”

The senate approved a list of discontinued, new, and revised courses, which will go into effect Sept. 1 this year, as recommended by the Senate Standing Committee on Curriculum. A list of 27 courses in anthropology, geography, journalism, political science, English, and information technology will be discontinued. 

Reasons for their discontinuation might include the courses are no longer being offered or are being replaced by another course, Senate Vice-Chair Catherine Schwichtenberg said. 

Eight new courses were also introduced in anthology, biology, communications, journalism, English, political science, business, and traditional Chinese medicine to attract students. 

A list of 45 courses underwent revision to make programming more visible and less complicated for students to sign up, Schwichtenberg said.

The senate also approved a program proposal for a certificate in brewing to encourage enrolment in the brewing department. Information sessions for the brewing and brewery operations program highlighted that the two-year diploma was a big-time commitment for some prospective students, the agenda read. 

“[The brewing department] recognized that their numbers were going down, but people were still interested,” Schwichtenberg said. 

A diploma in engineering physics was also approved to offer flexible and accessible pathways for students interested in both engineering and physics, the agenda read. The diploma would also allow students to ladder into the bachelor of science in physics for modern technology program.

The open-admission program will also offer opportunities for students not accepted into the limited-intake certificate in engineering program. 

Program changes were approved in the brewing and brewing operations diploma program; bachelor of science, major in physics for modern technology program; bachelor of arts, major in political science; associate of arts in political science; minor in political science; bachelor of business administration in accounting and associated courses. 

Micro-credentials in psychology and organizational behaviour; psychology, marketing and design; and quantitative and quality psychology research were also approved by the senate.

In his report to the senate, Davis wrote that he had been invited to the Chinese Study Abroad Forum in Beijing from April 8 to 13, where he signed a memorandum of agreement with the Beijing Fashion Institute of Technology in addition to giving a keynote speech at the event. 

Davis also attended the Wilson School of Design grad show on April 24.

The senate was also notified about a chancellor vacancy for 2026 after the end of Kim Baird’s three-year term, which began in October 2023. 

In her report, Provost and Vice-President Academic Diane Purvey said she attended the unveiling of new Indigenous artwork at the Richmond campus, which was then the highlight of KPU Day on May 2. 

Purvey also said she has been enjoying attending grad shows and watching student presentations, artwork, and fine art displays. 

“It’s always wonderful to celebrate what our students do,” she said. 

Purvey also provided an update on Academic Plan 2027 at the end of the report. Approved last September, the plan includes several projects and initiatives such as expanding mentorship, applied research opportunities, internships for students, developing pathways for mid-career and mature learners, expanding access to professional development in key areas such as anti-racism, cultural safety, decolonization and Indigenization, accessibility, and gender and sexual equity, among other initiatives. 

“Despite everything that’s happening at KPU and the changes, we are still making good progress on some of the some of the initiatives,” she said. 

The next senate meeting is scheduled for May 26 at 4:00 pm in the KPU Surrey Cedar Board Room and online via Microsoft Teams. For more information, visit www.kpu.ca/senate.