McMaster Continuing Education has been recognized with six awards, including two for programming, that highlight McMaster’s commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement through strategic partnerships.

The awards were presented at the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE) conference this spring. CAUCE is a professional association of deans, directors, senior administrative personnel and practitioners in university continuing education in Canada.

Innovative and accessible education

Winning two awards for programming, particularly in partnership contexts, validates the importance of collaboration when it comes to developing high-quality, impactful educational programs, says Lorraine Carter, director of McMaster Continuing Education.

“These awards are a testament to our dedication to providing innovative and accessible education that meets contemporary needs,” Carter says.

“Our partnerships with world-class educators, researchers, and subject matter experts, including those with lived experience, enable us to create programs that not only address current challenges but also promote community advancement.”

The two programs recognized by CAUCE are the Caregiving Essentials webinar series and the LifTING and Sepsis Canada Research Training Program.

Both highlight McMaster’s focus on addressing societal issues through education and on making a positive impact on individuals and communities, Carter says.

More than five million Canadians juggle unpaid care for loved ones with health challenges, often alongside work or school commitments, amidst a rapidly growing population of seniors aged 65 and older.

The Caregiving Essentials webinar program offers free talks with valuable insights and support for those in caregiving roles. The non-credit webinar series, under 48 hours, is a standalone program open to all members of the public.

The LifTING and Sepsis Canada program offers a unique health research training opportunity for clinicians, researchers, patients, and family partners interested in life-threatening illnesses. The delivery format is structured to accommodate participants who work fulltime with an emphasis on individualized learning through mentorship.

In addition to the programming accolades, Continuing Education also won four awards for marketing excellence, in recognition of its strategies to engage with a growing list of prospective students.

The marketing initiatives included a series of easily shared “Fast-Track Your Career” promotional videos, which used storytelling to share complex information in a short amount of time.

The future of continuing education at McMaster 

The recognition from CAUCE shows McMaster’s commitment to evolving with the educational landscape and its ability to respond to the needs of professionals and community members.

“The CAUCE awards highlight our ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and community service,” says Susan Tighe, provost and vice-president (Academic).

“Our focus on developing programs that are both relevant and responsive to societal needs ensures that we continue to play a key role in workforce development and community enrichment.”

Looking ahead, Continuing Education has plans to expand its offerings, collaborating with partners at the forefront of their fields to develop essential and relevant programs.

“Our success is rooted in our ability to forge meaningful partnerships and ability to adapt and innovate to the rapidly changing educational environment,” Carter says.

“These awards validate our efforts and inspire us to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in continuing education.”