KPU rebrands the university’s Faculty of Health

Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) Faculty of Community and Health Studies has been renamed the Faculty of Health, a change effective as of April 1. The new name coincides with the faculty’s only non-health-focused program – the Special Education Teaching Assistant program – moving to the Faculty of Arts. Read more….

Industry suggests growing need for horticulture background in new jobs

Metro Vancouver, B.C. – From increasing the durability of sports fields and buildings, to mitigating the effects of climate change: When it comes to sustaining cities and life within them, several local experts agree that succeeding will in part fall to those with backgrounds in horticulture. Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) school of horticulture recently hosted an industry discussion, inviting local professionals to weigh in on the role horticulture will play in planning for the future……….

PACE Report: Native soil-dwelling beneficial fungi control plant diseases

For the past two years, we have worked to develop native beneficial fungi to help control pests and diseases of BC crops and landscapes while protecting the environment. The process to a new commercial product is long but this project, in partnership with local agricultural industries, grower associations, and with partial funding contributions from federal and provincial governments involves students. What is the research about?  Download the pdf report KPU Fungi Control

PACE Report: Connecting Non-Profit Organizations & Faculty

Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s  CIR:CLE Cycle, 2013 Non-profit organization member: “I want to get Canada to pass a Disability Act.  How can I get news coverage for something like that?” Faculty member: I teach a course in Journalism at KPU that covers off-cycle media.  Maybe we could bring this question into the classroom? As interim Director of CIR:CLE (The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research: Community Learning Engagement), Larissa Petrillo has introduced a new concept to facilitate community service learning projects at Kwantlen … Continued

PACE Report: Kwantlen Polytechnic Fungi Report

Native soil+dwelling beneficial fungi control plant diseases For the past two years, we have worked to develop native beneficial fungi to help control pests and diseases of BC crops and landscapes while protecting the environment. The process to a new commercial product is long but this project, in partnership with local agricultural industries, grower associations, and with partial funding contributions from federal and provincial governments involves students. What is the research about? Download PDF

Kwantlen students take gold at provincial Skills Canada competition, advance to national competition

Competing in a six-hour garden building event which involved working from a prescribed landscape plan, two Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Horticulture students took gold in the provincial Skills Canada—Skills BC—competition, held April 17 in Abbotsford. As part of the challenge, fourth-year student Kevin O’Connor, enrolled in KPU’s Landscape Apprenticeship Program, and first-year student Jason Thompson, enrolled in KPU’s Turf Management Diploma Program, installed paving stones, basalt stone walls, a water feature, a flag stone pathway and an extensive planting system. … Continued

Lululemon founders helps launch new Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is thrilled to share the news of a $12 million gift from Shannon and Chip Wilson and lululemon athletica to build a new School of Design located at the Richmond campus. The gift is to be matched by the Province of British Columbia and KPU, creating a $36 million facility that will inspire innovation and leadership. “We are enormously grateful to Shannon, Chip, lululemon and the Province for this investment,” said Dr. Alan Davis, KPU president … Continued

Minister Stephanie Cadieux discusses change with Kwantlen nursing students

Fourth year nursing students from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) discussed the challenges that come with change with Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux, on November 20, 2012, at the Langley campus. “It’s important for government to engage the next generation because they are our leaders of tomorrow,” said Minister Cadieux. “Even as an elected politician, initiating change doesn’t come easily; so, I want to impress upon the students that, while one person can be the force of change, … Continued