COMMUNITY LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS Presentation

Agenda

• Introduction to Community Learning Partnerships at Royal Roads University
  • What it is
  • How it connects to the new WestShore Innovation + StartUp Hub @ the John Horgan Campus
  • How you can get involved
• Discussion

Community Learning Partnerships

For municipalities, its about collaborating with academia on the everyday business of city-building.

Our CLP model facilitates:

• Problem Identification
• Problem Distribution
• Matchmaking between City Staff and RRU Faculty, Students and Staff
• Research, Experiments & Prototypes
• Regional Collaboration

Project Types

• Research
• Analysis
• Mapping
• Prototyping
• Engagement
• Design

Examples of Municipal Projects in the Region

How might we develop an e-bike share program across jurisdictions on the WestShore? A Bachelor of Business Administration project in collaboration with Evo, the City of Langford and the City of Colwood. Langford’s new E-bike and e-scooter share program was catalyzed by this work.

What is the business case for urban forestry management in the City of Colwood? A climate adaptation project with our grad students in Climate Action Leadership.

What are the most feasible food security initiatives for the District of Sooke to pursue, given their current resources and capacity? A feasability study and business innovation project with undergraduate business students in collaboration with the DoS and the Sooke Regional Food Network.

What it means for our students

Steve, a mid-career military professional from CFB Esquimalt. His story shows how real-world experience and leadership can be a foundation for academic and professional growth in his community.

WESTSHORE INNOVATION + STARTUP HUB

@ RRU’S NEW JOHN HORGAN CAMPUS Corner of Peat Rd. and Goldstream Ave.

The Hub Overview

Mission

Serve as a regional collaboration space for community learning and innovation.

Core Pillars

Entrepreneurship Supporting initiatives from idea to scale, fostering creativity and adaptability

Civic Innovation Solutions to public issues (e.g. sustainability, inequality, etc.)

Youth Engagement Empowering young people (15-34) to lead social and environmental change

The Hub Overview

Why Now?

• The WestShore is B.C.’s fastest growing region with the highest proportion of young residents
• High demand for youth engagement and entrepreneurship programs
• Opportunities to address gaps in the regional innovation ecosystems

Key Features of the Space

• Flexible design: glass walls for inclusivity, movable furniture, breakout spaces
• Integrated Technology: Advanced A/V equipment, whiteboards, and prototyping tools (e.g. 3D printers)
• Community Hospitality: Community hosts, networking zones and inclusive access

The Hub Overview

Activities + Engagement

• Community Conversations: Public dialogues on pillar related questions where we can to share emergent reserach
• Pitch Nights: Micro-grants to support impactful ideas
• Workshops: Skills Training in Pillar Focus areas, such as design thinking, product development, and innovation
• Entrepreneurs in Residence: Coaching from regional experts
• The Hub Fund: Small grants to nurture grassroots projects
• Mentorship: Network of Faculty, industry experts, and alumni guidance
• Project-Based Learning: Academic programming that solves real-world challenges
• Resource-Rich Environment: Tools and spaces to nurture innovation

The Hub Overview

Community Voices

“When I was first starting out, it would have been nice to have a place to go where I could discuss with other entrepreneurs and ask questions...we would have benefited from marketing support, mentorship and workshops.” — Jason MacIssac, Sheringham Distillery

“Strong entrepreneurship is an investment in our future prosperity. The same goes for civic engagement and youth engagement. The difference I see The Hub making is foster a community of collaboration instead of division... ” — Julie Lawlor, WestShore Chamber of Commerce

" I can see myself and members of our community using The Hub for its bright and digitally equipped space for meetings, workshops etc. and for access to training and education that is not available in Sooke." — Gail Scott, District of Sooke

"A community space where [young people] could connect and collaborate with like-minded peers and mentors would be a powerful way to support their growth." — School District 62 Career Education Specialist

“The Hub could amplify regional collaborative models and... help us to problem solve better as a region... I see it as a mechanism to get things done!” — Cindy Andrews, The Village Initiative

The Hub Overview

Outcome Metrics

• Annual user count (students and WestShore residents)
• Number of workshops, events, and community projects
• Partnerships and collaborations
• Funds distributed and revenue generated

ULTIMATE IMPACT: Increased civic innovation, youth engagement and entrepreneurship in the WestShore.

Financial Investment

• $2M over 10 years from Royal Roads University
• $1.5 over 10 years from the City of Langford
• • contributions from PacifiCan, District of Sooke, and The Village Initiative

Invitation to Collaborate

Subscribe as a Community Learning Partner

• Project Discovery Workshop for City Staff to identify priority questions
• Problem distribution across RRU Academic Programming
• Matchmaking between City Staff and RRU Faculty, Students and Staff
• At least 1 Project/Year with RRU Students, who are supervised and coached by RRU faculty and staff
• Co-create the future of the WestShore Innovation Hub with a seat on the Advisory

Impact potential for View Royal

• Engagement with the next generation of community leaders
• New opportunities to support the Town’s entrepreneurs and changemakers
• Affordable, collaborative and innovative means to test ideas with its residents and neighbours
• Strengthened ties with academia
• Opportunity to build momentum around strategic priorities like sustainability, livability, and inclusive economic development, in meaningful and regionally minded ways

Questions?