Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Goal 4 aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
Taking Action
Initiatives at Brock University
Brock University’s Financial Need Assessment Policy outlines that the University has funds available to help students who experience financial difficulty. Bursaries are available for those students who exhibit the greatest financial need. They are intended to supplement educational resources, such as government student loans, employment earnings, scholarships, externally administered bursaries and family contributions. Bursaries should not be considered a major part of a student’s plan for financing their studies.
Brock University is increasing its overall Scholarship & Award opportunities for First Nations students who do not have access to funding through their Band Council. Brock is excited to offer the new Chancellor’s First Nations Award annually to one student coming directly from high school, who is First Nations and has a high level of academic standing.
The Caribbean International Scholarship – Awarded to two 1st year undergraduate students who show academic promise and financial need. Applicable countries: Cuba; Haiti; Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Trinidad & Tobago; Guadeloupe; Martinique; Bahamas; Barbados; Saint Lucia; Curacao; Aruba; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Grenada; Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica; Cayman Islands; Saint Kitts & Nevis; Saint Maarten; Turks & Caicos Islands; Saint Martin; British Virgin Islands; Caribbean Netherlands; Anguilla; Saint Barthelemy and Montserrat
International Student Ambassador Award – is given out annually for up to 15 students that are examples of Brock University’s mission and vision. The award is due to their academic achievements on and off campus.
THE IMPACT RANKINGS
As part of Brock’s 2022 submission to THE Impact Rankings, we shared information on how the university is working toward achieving quality education. This information ranked us in the top 600 of over 1,100 institutions around the world and gave us a score of 57.2/100.
Some key information we summitted includes:
- Brock offers access and privileges of university material and resources to Brock faculty and staff, retirees, visiting scholars and adjuncts, persons working with faculty but not affiliated with the university, community members, alumni, as well as faculty, staff, and students studying or working at other Canadian universities.
- Brock provides a wide range of continuing and professional educational programs, including those offered by the Goodman Group (Goodman School of Business) and courses such as the Professional Leadership Development Certificate.
- Brock’s Community Engagement Strategic Plan emphasizes university-community engagement which refers to the multi-directional collaboration between institutions of higher education and broader communities for the mutual exchange of knowledge, resources, and experiences.
In 2021, Brock’s ongoing commitment to virtual learning opportunities resulted in the University receiving more than $500,000 in grant funding. The one-time Virtual Learning Strategy Funding, which came from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities via eCampus Ontario, was distributed to eight projects at Brock that explore collaborative and learner-driven online content and digital supports. An open access undergraduate level course entitled “Building Sustainable Communities: The Impact of Engagement” was one of the many projects developed.
Youth University is able to provide vulnerable youth in Niagara with opportunities for social, emotional and academic growth through the generous support of community organizations and individuals (Education outreach activities beyond campus).
In 2022, 37 Brock researchers made Stanford University’s global list of the world’s top two per cent of scientists with the most citations.
Initiatives in the Niagara Region
Niagara Region consistently looks to its two post-secondary schools for latest information on evidence-based practices.
EarlyON Child and Family Centre
EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Niagara provide free, high-quality drop-in programs for children from birth to six years of age.
After School Matters
The After School Matters Program is a network of free after school programs that provide quality education, recreational and leisure activities. During the pandemic they have managed to arrange online program until it is safe for them to open.
Individual Actions
It is important to foster continued education and learning following the completion of an individual’s time at school. If one is able to continue to learn they are able to acquire new skills to advance in their career. The act of learning and improving upon a skill is also pleasurable and satisfying, which can lead to a more fulfilling life. 
The word Kaizen in Japanese means continuous improvement and is easily applicable to life as it serves as a reminder that our skills are malleable and can be improved upon regardless of our age.
- Provide educational field trips outside the classroom, like museums or planetariums.
- Donate old books you no longer use to public libraries or schools.
- Share your knowledge and successes with others.
- Support charities working to provide education to those less fortunate. Educate others on the power of education and the importance it has on society.
- Support school food initiatives to keep student’s minds engaged.
- Watch educational films or documentaries that spark your interest.
