In late February of each year, we hold our annual Deans and Directors’ meeting. This meeting is a significant professional development opportunity for the leaders of our institutional membership to network and dialogue about continuing education issues and trends.
To keep our conversations intimate and relevant, the unit leader (Dean or Director) within our Institutional Membership Category, are invited to attend this meeting. The unit leader may invite an associate dean or director from within their unit to participate as a second registration (fee required) from their institution.
Theme 2025
Advancing the Future of Continuing Education: Innovation, Collaboration, Progress
As we navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, this meeting will explore the transformative impact of AI and innovative practices on continuing education in Canada. Through interactive speakers, rotational roundtable discussions, and insightful sessions, we will delve into the role of AI for continuing education and the importance of maintaining effective practices. We will discuss challenges, opportunities, and the critical contributions continuing education units play to address skills shortages to strengthen key sectors of the economy.
Acknowledging our pivotal roles in shaping the future of university continuing education in Canada, the 2025 CAUCE Deans and Directors’ Meeting will unite thought leaders and our collective expertise to continue to build on our strengths and drive innovation. Join us to share insights, strategies, and collaborative solutions for shaping the future of continuing education.
Agenda
Thursday, February 27, 2025
| 7:30 – 8:30 am | Registration and breakfast |
| 8:30 am | President's welcome |
| 8:30 - 10:00 am | 2-minute Speed round table introductions |
| 10:00 - 10:30 am | Nutrition & networking break |
| 10:30 – 12:00 pm |
What AI means for continuing education: Practices and provocations Promises about Generative AI are everywhere in education right now. What do these mean for continuing education professionals and decision-makers? For students? For the field itself? This interactive keynote will explore key practices for adapting AI to the future-proofing work of continuing education, while also raising questions about what futures AI itself poses for learning, for work, and for society in the 21st century. Presenter: Dr. Bonnie Stewart, she/they, Associate Professor, Online Pedagogy & Workplace Learning, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor |
| 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Buffet lunch and networking |
| 1:00 - 2:30 pm | Rotational roundtable discussions |
| 2:30 - 3:00 pm |
Nutrition & networking break
|
| 3:00 - 3:30 pm |
CAUCE’s 2024 member survey: results, challenges and opportunities In this session, we will delve into the 2024 CAUCE member survey results and provide an in-depth analysis of the data, highlighting key insights and trends, building on the report that has been distributed in advance. We'll also discuss the challenges and opportunities with respect to data collection that have emerged from the survey findings. This is a great opportunity to understand the implications of the data, brainstorm ways to tackle challenges, and leverage our findings to shape our association's advocacy efforts on behalf of continuing education in Canada. Presenter: Dr. Evan Cortens, Dean, Faculty of Continuing Education, Mount Royal University and Chair, CAUCE Data Collection Committee |
| 3:30 - 4:30 pm |
Canada at a Crossroads: Making the Case for Universities Amidst a Changing Landscape Incorporating public opinion polling and a government relations lens, the presentation will address the challenges facing universities today, the advocacy work of Universities Canada, and identify areas for potential collaboration to strengthen the voice of the post-secondary sector. Presenter: Annie Barrette, Director, Policy and External Relations, Universities Canada |
| 4:30 - 6:00 pm | apéritif and wine down |
Friday, February 28, 2025
| 8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast networking meeting |
| 9:00 - 10:00 am | CAUCE business and updates |
| 10:00 - 10:30 am | Nutrition & networking break |
| 10:30 - 12:00 pm |
Don’t fix what’s not broken: How Continuing Ed can help solve Canada’s productivity challenge This session will explore the results and implications of a recently released BHER/ RBC Thought Leadership report on higher education’s role in driving Canada’s productivity. We will start by presenting the main findings of the report, with special emphasis on the role Canada’s continuing education departments can play to help alleviate skills shortages and be a lever to strengthen key sectors of the economy. Group discussion and Q&A to follow. Presenters: Valerie Walker, CEO, and Matthew McKean, Chief R&D Officer, Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) |
| 12:00 -12:30 pm | Reflections and next steps |
| 12:30 - 1:30 pm | Lunch |
The agenda is subject to change.
Registration
Early Bird rate: 625 + GST (until January 31, 2025)
Regular rate: 675 + GST
Register online via the member portal.
If you cancel your registration by February 10, 2025, you will receive a refund minus a $50.00 administration fee. Cancellations after February 10, 2025, are not eligible for a refund.
If you wish to transfer your registration to a colleague, you must contact cauce.secretariat@usask.ca by February 19, 2025.
Institutional data collection
Please use this reporting template to submit your one-page report that will be included in the meeting package. To facilitate the timely distribution of the meeting package, please submit your report before February 17, 2025.
Accommodations and venue
The Intercontinental Montreal
Arrangements have been made at the Intercontiental Hotel for our meeting and accommodations.
We have arranged for a special rate of $195.00 per night (Classic King) based on single occupancy plus applicable taxes and fees. For hotel reservations phone 514-987-9900 or 1-877-660-8550 and quote the group: Canadian Association for University Continuing Education(CAUCE). You may also book your room online via the hotel's online booking system.
The cut-off date for reservations is 5:00 pm (EST) on Friday, January 24, 2025, but we would appreciate you reserve your room prior to December 22nd so that we are able to make important attrition decisions on that date. Cancellations will be accepted up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
CAUCE has committed to confirming a certain number of blocked rooms for this event so we respectfully ask that you please enjoy your stay at the Intercontinental Hotel.
The special rate is not available after January 24, 2025. Please book your room in advance of this deadline.
Virtual Roundtables
Our Deans and Directors’ Virtual Roundtable provides a forum for leaders of university continuing and extension education units to discuss strategic challenges, operational adaptations, and financial realities, with a focus on enhancing program quality and aligning with university goals during uncertain times. This platform facilitates the sharing of insights and collaborative strategies to ensure the delivery of community-focused lifelong education that supports broad civic engagement and workforce enhancement.
Annual regional meetings
Western Deans and Directors Meeting (WDD) – An informal group of western deans and directors who meet yearly in the fall. The western deans are meeting October 31-November 1, 2024. Contact Ewa Wasniewski, University of Calgary for more information.
Eastern Deans and Directors Meeting (EDD) – An informal group of western deans and directors who meet yearly in the fall. Contact the Eastern Regional Representiave on the CAUCE Executive Committee for more information.