The District of Squamish will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Capilano University to guide collaboration and engagement for mutual goals. District of Squamish Council will discuss the MOU at an upcoming council meeting on October 24.
In August this year, Capilano University announced the purchase of the Quest University campus property for $63.2 million, with $48 million in funding from the provincial government. According to the District, the MoU will ‘formalize, strengthen, and broaden’ engagement between CapU and the District, and allow both to create opportunities to work together on various activities. In an interview with the Squamish Reporter, Capilano University president Paul Dangerfield also spoke at length about the University’s plans for the Squamish campus.
The MOU has outlined at least 13 areas of initial collaboration between the Capilano University and the District of Squamish, listed below:
CapU will participate in District committees and working groups focused on sustainable community economic development, including the Economic Development Community Partner Forum and the Innovation Working Group.
CapU will participate in the Innovation Working Group led by the District of Squamish and collaborate with the District on related activities undertaken by the group. When possible and feasible, CapU will support the development of innovation-related funding requests, and their subsequent implementation, and consider partner contributions to be formalized as separate agreements signed by the parties.
CapU and the District may explore collaborative opportunities to support the development of the Sea to Sky Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (SOARE). As part of this endeavor, CapU would investigate potential alignment with current and planned education programs and facilities that become available at the future Squamish campus.
The District and CapU will actively communicate to identify projects, learning opportunities and potential collaborative projects related to climate action, including reducing emissions through implementing the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and proactively adapting to climate change.
CapU will actively support the District’s efforts to transform its economic activities to achieve the goals of its Circular Economy Roadmap. This includes commitments made to support the District’s CE Trailblazer initiative, in-kind 1.25 FTE of faculty time (approximately $16,500), including and active participation in committees/ meetings related to the proposed activities, and including any related travel costs, to be formalized under a separate agreement signed by the parties.
CapU will support the District to establish a chapter of City Studio in Squamish in 2024, supporting projects that assist the District and allied organizations with relevant research projects.
CapU and the District will collaborate with the District and the Átl’ka7tsem/ Howe Sound Biosphere Region Society to fulfill the goals linked to the Nchu’ú7mut/Unity Plan.
CapU and the District will continue collaborating and working with community partners in the Sea to Sky Corridor on early learning and childcare access aligned to the Squamish Childcare Action Plan and community early learning needs. A CapU representative will participate in the early learning table for Sea to Sky.
CapU will participate on a Project Steering Committee led by the Squamish Food Policy Council on behalf of the District of Squamish to complete a Farm and Food Hub Plan within the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.
CapU will participate in a Project Steering Committee and assign members to the District’s regional Labour Market Partnership project to identify labour market demand associated with economic and social development priorities, and strategies to ensure an appropriate labour supply.
CapU and the District will explore opportunities to share community recreation, arts and culture infrastructure amenities, services, and programs.
CapU’s Work Integrated Learning Hub will collaborate with the District on an annual basis to identify opportunities for CapU students.
The principals for the two organizations will jointly prepare an annual report of activities and outcomes that can be presented to the District Council and the CapU Senate and Board of Governors
Larry Murray says
This is quite good news. A university is a knowledge hub and Squamish is fortunate to have hosted Quest University and now Capilano University. A host community has an obligation to work in deep cooperation with any organization that can further community goals. It is an ever increasingly complex world and harnessing creative minds has so many merits; especially when the minds are backed by evidence-based research. Squamish is indeed fortunate – so is Capilano University to find such a receptive community.