Adult Learner Services

UWinnipeg Celebrates Adult Learners!

For the first time, The University of Winnipeg celebrated International Adult Learners Week (IALW) during April 2 to 9, 2011. This week is designated by UNESCO’s Canadian Commission as a time to recognize adult learners across the country and celebrate the joy of learning throughout life.

Adult Learner Services at UWinnipeg wanted to recognize the challenges and accomplishments of our own adult learners, highlighting the importance of all forms of learning and more specifically, giving adult learners a voice. To mark the international celebration, UWinnipeg adult learners were invited to share their learning journeys—how and why they returned to pursue post-secondary education. There was also a call to UWinnipeg faculty and staff to submit ‘messages of support’ for Adult Learners Week, offering thoughts on how important learning has been in their lives and the value of life-long learning.

Those individuals who submitted either a message of support or a learning journey story were invited to a “Celebration of Adult Learners” Wine and Cheese Gathering on Wednesday, April 6— strategically scheduled one day after the last day of classes and two days before exams. At this event, adult learners were able to unwind with a glass of wine, hear two learning journey stories from their peers, be eligible to win some great prizes, and meet other adult learners and UWinnipeg’s new Vice-President, Academic, Dr. John Corlett.

“The success of celebrating IALW exceeded our expectations,” said Barbara Read, Coordinator of Adult Learner Services. “We raised the awareness of ‘Who are adult learners?’ on and off campus and created a sense of community for UWinnipeg adult learners.” The Week celebrated adult learners’ determination to balance formal schooling with all other responsibilities, the ability to persevere and the wisdom to recognize that university is value added to their already vast experiential learning. This is well expressed by Lisa Johnson, an adult learner,

After completing my first few courses, I quickly discovered the benefits of my education ‘beyond the classroom’. The knowledge and exposure transposed into my own personal growth and developments, helping me become the confident, well rounded, and dynamic individual I am today.

But it certainly wasn’t without its challenges. Finding time to juggle studying, reading assignments, and writing papers along with my full time jobs as both employee and mother it was exhausting at times. Although there were times I questioned and even doubted my efforts, quitting and/or failure was not an option. My education was how I identified myself, and it added tremendously to my sense of purpose and self-worth.

Photos from the event

Christian Weah shares his learning journey.
Photo by Brent Shabbits

Lisa Johnson talks about her University experience.
Photo by Brent Shabbits

Grand prize e-reader winner Jose Carlos Castillo & Stephanie Rozzi

Harris Hatamosa, Parminder Khosa, Belay Mekonnen, Mike Orante, with Barb Read, Coordinator of Adult Learner Services

Province of MB IALW Proclamation