As we bring the current BCIT strategic plan to a close, it’s a privilege to reflect on our journey over the past five years, celebrating the remarkable strides we have made as an institution, while acknowledging the challenges we faced along the way. Our progress is a testament to the collective excellence, dedication, resilience, and innovation that define the BCIT community.
We launched Relevance. Reach. Renewal. in 2019, following consultation with thousands of community members, including students, faculty, staff, Board of Governors, union partners, Indigenous leaders, donors, alumni, government, and employers. We asked our community what differentiates BCIT and what we need to do to capture opportunities, address deficits, and adapt to our evolving world. These engagements culminated in a renewed vision and mission; values to guide our behaviours; and a commitment to be a people-focused organization that delivers future-proof applied education, amplifying our impact through globally relevant connections.
Two years after introducing the plan, we found ourselves at a critical inflection point. As a result of the pandemic, the world experienced a dramatic acceleration of existing trends: baby boomers retired faster, work environments evolved, and new technologies were adopted more quickly than ever before. Some sectors thrived and others suffered. International student mobility was constrained. And we saw growing demand for skills-based and modular learning, with shifting public perception of the value of higher education. The pandemic also reinforced inequities in access to higher education, and increased emphasis on mental health, wellbeing, and inclusion.
In response to the changing context, in 2020, we reviewed the plan to ensure we leveraged BCIT’s distinguishing strengths and momentum to address the evolving requirements of students, employees, and industry. The assessment confirmed the plan’s continued relevance and led us to extend its duration, while encouraging us to increase our focus on agile learning, digital transformation, and partnership in provincial resilience.
While we look forward to the next chapter in BCIT’s journey, we embrace this opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and extend our gratitude to our learners, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, and partners who all played an important role in inspiring and propelling BCIT over the past five years.
Thank you,
BCIT Executive Team