RPD Certificate Announced
By Rebecca Cohoe
Memorial University’s Division of Lifelong Learning is
proud to announce a new university-level certificate in regional
policy and development, specially tailored to meet the needs of
this province.
“This program embraces the essence of Lifelong Learning and
the value of industry experts collaborating with the university in
program design,” said Karen Kennedy, director of the Division
of Lifelong Learning.
Created and proposed in partnership with the Harris Centre and the
Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Economic Development Association
(NLREDA), the program’s first students will begin classes in
September 2010.
While some of the courses will be located at Memorial’s St.
John’s campus, many of the courses will be offered online,
reducing the need for individuals to travel for training in
regional policy and development issues. In-province training will
also be an option.
Aimed at those working, or interested in working, in regional
policy and development, the program will be a strong professional
development opportunity for a wide range of individuals, from those
employed with regional economic development boards and
municipalities, to those with not-for-profit agencies, social
enterprises or in government.
With a broad range of required and elective courses spanning seven
Memorial departments, the program will help students make informed
decisions related to regional policy and development, focusing on
various key topics including strategic planning, management,
economic development and others.
Throughout the planning of the certificate, there was a continued
emphasis on ensuring the content of the program would be relevant
to the actual day-to-day experience of those working in regional
policy and development. As a result, three of the six core courses
that all students must complete to earn the certificate have been
designed in direct consultation with the Harris Centre and
NLREDA.
“For the Harris Centre, this has been a great partnership
with Lifelong Learning, our faculty colleagues and NLREDA. Capacity
in regional policy and development will be significantly improved
as a result of this certificate program,” said Dr. Robert
Greenwood, the Harris Centre’s executive director.
There is also a significant hands-on portion to the
course—all students must complete an intensive community
field placement to add context to the class work, and give them a
chance to put their new knowledge into action.
“We think this is an excellent program," said Ted Lomond,
executive director of NLREDA and a chief architect of the program.
"We see it as developing capacity provincewide, as it provides REDB
staff, professional municipal administrators and government
employees with access to a program that is specific to economic
development and, just as important, geared to the specific needs
and challenges of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
While the immediate aim of the program is to offer students a
relevant and practical grounding in regional policy and development
issues, the program is expected to have a significant positive
effect on a provincial level. It is expected to increase the number
of individuals with training in regional policy and development in
Newfoundland and Labrador, and create a greater pool of skilled
candidates to tackle regional policy and development issues in the
future.
“The program increases future capacity as it affords Memorial
students an opportunity to consider economic development as a
career and it gives arts and business students a tool to specialize
in the field,” Mr. Lomond said.
"This certificate addresses a key need in Newfoundland and
Labrador,” Dr. Greenwood said. “And very likely
beyond.”
