As part of its mandate to enhance the quality of teaching and learning on campus, the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic leads or is involved in a number of institutional projects, always in partnership with others on campus (students, Faculties, other support units). In various ways, all these projects share the goals of maintaining and enhancing Waterloo's reputation as a place for learning and for offering academic programming that meets the needs of students and society.
Accessible Education Project
Based on the principle that accessible education is better education, the Accessible Education Project's three sub-project teams are working collaboratively with the support of the Teaching Innovation Incubator to think through (1) instructional programs and practices, (2) learning tools and materials, and (3) policies and guidelines related to delivery of education.
Academic Innovation
The Academic Innovation Working Group (AIWG) is exploring how we can deliver academic programs more efficiently, leverage technology to enhance teaching and learning, and create new revenue streams through program development. The AIWG will oversee an ongoing stream of projects led by limited-term sub-groups. Both the AIWG and its sub-groups are advisory in nature.
Past Reports
Credentials Framework
In 2024, the Credentials Framework Working Group made recommendations focused on updating the University of Waterloo's framework for academic credentials in ways that will help prepare the governance, administrative, and procedural ground for innovation, experimentation, and evolution in teaching and learning. Key recommendations include interdisciplinarily and student flexibility.
Digital Learning Strategy
In 2023, the Digital Learning Strategy Working Group shared a comprehensive framework for digital instruction and program design at the University of Waterloo, including selection of educational technologies and support for the learning experience. The resulting report includes twelve top-level strategic directions, with associated recommendations to achieve them.