The University of the Fraser Valley is investing $224,000 to support 30 projects developed by the UFV community aimed at implementing the University’s integrated strategic plan: IYAQÁWTXW: House of Transformation. A total of 38 proposals were submitted in response to the Provost’s call for funding from the Strategic Initiatives Fund.

Funding was open to any department or unit across the university and applicants were encouraged to identify projects related to one or more of the strategic imperative themes. These proposals were reviewed by members of senior leadership with feedback provided by Deans in corresponding areas.

 

IYAQÁWTXW: House of Transformation funding

Theme	Projects funded	Total Funding amount
Indigenization and Reconciliation	9	$91,980
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion	6	$44,503
Applied Research	5	$32,907
Engagement with community	4	$21,700
Student experience and success	2	$15,591
Personal and professional Development	2	$15,000
Lifelong learning	1	$2400

 

Funded projects addressed a wide range of innovative approaches to achieve the goals outlined in IYAQÁWTXW: House of Transformation. Examples include:

• An on-campus mural project dedicated to the victims of residential schools entitled Remember the Children. led by Amanda James, President of Students for Indigenization
• Listening: Hearts and Needs of Indigenous Students, a project led by Betty Peters, Director Indigenous Student Centre, focusing on better understanding the systemic barriers and challenges that Indigenous students have faced at UFV and aimed at providing a series of recommendations based on the voices of Indigenous learners to foster better relationships with Indigenous communities
• Building Open Education Practices, led by Martin Warkentin, UFV copyright librarian;
• On-campus signage to support and welcome Trans people. led by Dr. Evan Taylor, assistant professor, Social Work and Human Services
• A project dedicated to connecting nursing students with in-the-field nurses to support Nursing Mentorship in Action, led by Lisa Almos, associate professor, Nursing
• Exploring Biosensor and Automation Technology in Agriculture in the Fraser Valley, a gap analysis, led by Dr. Renee Prasad, Agriculture department chair.

A number of departments (including Continuing Education, School of Business, Adult Education) also received funding to address decolonization and support Reconciliation efforts.  A list of the funded projects is available here.