Carleton University and Algonquin College each announced that they’ve signed on to the experiential learning initiative earlier this month, meaning more students will join our learners' pioneering efforts to launch hands-on projects and co-create solutions to meet local challenges in collaboration with the City of Ottawa.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to expand CityStudio Ottawa and welcome both Algonquin College and Carleton University as partners,” said Dr. Claire Kendall, Associate Dean of Social Accountability at the Faculty of Medicine who is one of the convening partners of CSO. “In addition to expanding the number of projects we can collectively match to City priorities, bringing in new collaborators allows us to draw on a wider knowledge base and new areas of expertise. I’m excited to see the value we can bring to our communities.”
“We are thrilled to embark on this partnership journey to foster a more inclusive, healthier and sustainable city,” said L. Pauline Rankin, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) of Carleton University. “Together, we will connect and mobilize students, faculty, the City of Ottawa and community members to collectively advance initiatives towards effecting change in the Ottawa region.”
CityStudio offers students the opportunity to gain real-world experience while collaborating with City officials on projects aligned with the City of Ottawa’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. The City benefits from increased capacity, knowledge and creativity to address critical challenges.
“By joining CityStudio Ottawa, Algonquin College is demonstrating our commitment to experiential learning with an emerging research focus on community engaged learning,” said Kristine Dawson, Associate Vice President, Experiential Learning and Innovation at Algonquin College. “This exciting partnership will provide new opportunities for our students and faculty to support city building activities that advance our community in a positive way.”
Launched in November 2022, CityStudio Ottawa is already having an impact on local communities. Several projects initiated during the program’s first year focused on a wide range of issues, including supporting system navigation for postpartum depression care, developing programs to reduce mental health issues among immigrant children, and even a music program aimed at providing a safe space for kids after school.
One project enabled a group of medical students to evaluate patient and provider feedback on the Ottawa Paramedic Service’s Mental Wellbeing Response Team (MWRT). The MWRT’s recent success in reducing the number of patients requiring a visit to the emergency department was recently featured in the Globe and Mail.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has also praised CityStudio. “Ottawa’s ability to be a worldclass city starts with our incredible post-secondary institutions. It is great to see that we are now partnered with representatives from three of our post-secondary institutions. You are all fantastic ambassadors for #TeamOttawa, as you are our strong pipeline of talent for the City of Ottawa,” said Mayor Sutcliffe. “I am so very excited about what’s to come. I think about how much Ottawa has changed in the past decade. And I think ahead 10 years and imagine the results of what we are planning to build today. It’s amazing to know that we have your valuable contributions to get us there.”
Learn more on the CityStudio Ottawa website.
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