Vibrant while virtual
KPU maintains an engaged community during remote classes
Pivoting from an in-class environment to a virtual one is difficult. Fortunately, educators at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) can lean on their students to assist with this transformation. When the COVID-19 pandemic moved KPU’S Melville School of Business to remote learning, students like Wajeeha Rahman used their career-focused skills to foster a virtual university experience. As a newly graduated alumna with academic distinctions, including the President’s Outstanding Graduate Award and Lieutenant Governor’s Medal, Rahman leveraged the pandemic as an opportunity to demonstrate dedication by aiding virtual learning. Specifically, Rahman says teaching fellow students to use online assignment tools and creating study group chats helped “keep the vibrant community going.” Rahman used her leadership skills to aid virtual learning and to support her extra-curricular work as the vice-president of KPU’S Case Analysis Network. While remote, this student organization hosted its Inaugural National Business Case Competition. Through integrating engagement tools, such as targeted social media posts and consistent emails, Rahman created an event that maintained the organization’s professional atmosphere virtually. This not only kept Rahman connected with students, but also contributed to her overall success at KPU. Participating in KPU’S vibrant community while remote was equally important to Rahman, as she took advantage of opportunities presented by KPU and the Kwantlen Student Association. These ranged from virtual coffee chats with alumni to participating in a virtual townhall with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Participating in the townhall was particularly influential for Rahman, as she says it helped her “decide career and life milestones over the next few years.” Moving forward, Rahman has accepted a position with accounting firm KPMG International and will be attending the University of Saskatchewan’s Master of Professional Accounting program. This will allow her to practise key online learning skills she gained attending
KPU, including technical knowledge and adaptability with working remotely. Rahman’s efforts represent how supporting internal and external communities is a priority at the university. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the university also demonstrated this by adding 300 laptops to its loaner program, which allowed students that required technical resources to continue learning. As all institutions continue to evaluate virtual methods of instruction, Rahman says teaching technology “opens new avenues not used before”. However, as many students will attest, the best virtual learning experience involves being compassionate and supportive through uncertainty. Rahman shares this sentiment and says she appreciates all educators for their “effort in developing online courses.”