News

By: Matthew King

The graduate work-integrated learning (GradWIL) project at the University of Waterloo is finishing its pilot phase and moving into operational programs. This important step is a chance to look back at what has been achieved so far and to show ongoing commitment to giving graduate students practical, career-focused work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. 

Work-integrated learning (WIL) has a significant contribution to education. Not only does it deepen academic understanding, but also enhances employability outcomes, fostering the exchange of knowledge between students and workplaces. Implementing the ideal environment for WIL consists of understanding stakeholders' goals and needs, creating a supportive environment, as well as navigating diverging interests. Dr. Norah McRae, associate provost of CEE, discusses with the National Skills Network, the distinction between experiential education and practical work experience, and how WIL plays a role in contributing to the broader educational framework.

Waterloo’s Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) unit has once again displayed innovation in sustainability with another award-winning project. CEE’s focus on sustaAinability through international work terms has earned the unit the Sustainability Education Award - Silver at Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Reimagine Education Conference and Awards.

Associate Provost, Co-operative and Experiential Education, Dr. Norah McRae (she/her) and Director of International Strategic Initiatives, Shabnam Ivković were awarded best paper at WACE’s 4th International Research Symposium on Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education in September, 2022.

In this article, David Drewery and Katie Knapp explore students’ organizational commitment pertaining to workplace friendships. This study found that organizational commitment is greater when work experience quality is greater. Additionally, workplace friendships still developed during remote work-integrated learning.

David Drewery, Judene Pretti and Anne-Marie Fannon’s article analyzes the quality of work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. WIL stakeholders can benefit from the LIRN model (learning, impact, relevance and networking) to provide excellent work experiences.

In this paper, researchers analyze Global work-integrated learning (WIL) modules. The study’s findings shows that the modules are globally applicable, and that professional development is necessary.

In this paper, researchers highlight the impact of international work-integrated learning (WIL) program, Global Challenge.

This study explores the relationship between work-integrated learning (WIL) and teaching and learning (T&L). WIL and Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) organizations completed this survey.

In this paper, Andrea Prier, Anne-Marie Fannon, Jamieson Cox and Suman Armitage analyze the Waterloo Experience Accelerate (WEA) program. UWaterloo created WEA to respond to co-op student employment challenges amid the pandemic.