The University of Ottawa Centre for Continuing Education opened its doors a few months ago. Serge Blais, who was previously with the Student Academic Success Service, is the Centre’s acting director. The Centre’s goal is to expand the University of Ottawa’s educational mission and extend it to various sectors of the nation’s capital.
Starting in the fall of 2008, the Centre will offer a variety of non-credit general interest courses in areas such as the arts and humanities, geopolitics, health and well-being, heritage, history, law or any other subject that may be of interest to people seeking training and intellectual advancement. The courses will be presented in various formats, from individual presentations to series lasting several hours that are led by trainers who are experts in their field.
“The Centre’s courses must provide added value to those already offered by the University of Ottawa and other institutions in the region. They must be stimulating and beneficial,” explains Serge Blais. The Centre’s programming will therefore be developed in consultation with the faculties and the Professional Training Service, which offers professional development workshops to the public. In addition, strategic partnerships will be established with various national organizations in the nation’s capital, such as museums, associations and others.
The Centre for Continuing Education will contribute to the development and influence of the University. “There is a large group of adults in our region and our community who are looking for opportunities to acquire general knowledge in a variety of subject areas in order to expand their horizons,” notes Serge Blais. “The University of Ottawa, in its role as a vehicle for disseminating knowledge, will ensure that this appetite for intellectual training is satisfied.”
