Articles from:March 2025

• Innovative Goodman program that builds analytics ‘powerhouses’ earns international honour

  Monday, March 31, 2025 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE – March 31, 2025 – R0043

  A post-graduate work initiative in data analytics that’s helped participants secure coveted jobs at prominent Canadian organizations has earned Brock University’s Goodman School of Business top honours from a leading international accreditation body.

  The Robot Training Academy (RTA), a collaboration between Goodman’s Centre for Business Analytics (CBA) and longtime industry partner Rel8ed Analytics, garnered recognition from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) with its prestigious Innovations That Inspire award. This annual program recognizes institutions worldwide that reimagine business education to be more relevant, equitable and impactful.

  The spotlight this year is on schools that forge partnerships to shape market-responsive curricula and engage with local and global organizations from across sectors to address complex challenges.

  “This year’s Innovations That Inspire honorees exemplify the power of collaboration between business and higher education in driving positive change,” says Lily Bi, AACSB President and CEO. “The Goodman School of Business Centre for Business Analytics’ dedication to industry-centred education showcases how business schools are fostering innovation and ensuring graduates enter the workforce ready to make an immediate impact.”

  The RTA launched in 2021 to address skills gaps and meet the evolving needs of industry employers. Designed with Rel8ed’s CEO, Robert Lytle, the program complements students’ classroom learning with specialized, hands-on training using in-demand software and real data.

  Over seven weeks, students access skills training modules that grant them micro-credentials to include on their resumés. Top students are then offered co-op positions to work on community projects requiring data analysis, with past work including Goodman’s accreditation team, a global research and consultancy firm and a global media and events company, among others.

  “The RTA was designed to bolster curriculum learning while supporting the very particular needs of community organizations,” says Anteneh Ayanso, CBA Director. “Robot Training Academy provides tailored, industry-focused training for students and makes them available to community organizations needing data processing, gathering and analyzing.

  “It’s a project that successfully demonstrates academic and industry co-ordination, and interdisciplinary co-ordination,” he adds. “If you don’t have the right collaboration, if students don’t have complementary skills, simply having a degree won’t meet the needs of industry.”

  The program’s co-op students have gone on to land larger roles with big-name organizations, Lytle says, demonstrating the program’s immediate impact on both industry and trainees.

  “It’s the students who did this,” he says. “This award recognizes the students themselves and their true abilities. This was a student-led program that turned them into powerhouses.”

  The program has also directly aided Rel8ed, Lytle adds. In 2023, the company was acquired by a major global insurance firm based on the strength of its research program and staff, and it continues to hire and train Brock and RTA students to support its expanded global workload.

  Plans are underway to revitalize the RTA by adding a research component, Ayanso says. This ensures the program continues to provide students with the highest quality, skills-based training that meets industry needs, including at the local level.

  “It aligns with the AACSB and it’s what we’re striving for,” he says. “We’re happy to see it as a highlight of classroom innovation. The award affirms what we believe in and is giving more motivation to extend this training in the future and extend our collaborations.”

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  *Maryanne St. Denis, Manager, Content and Communications, Brock University, [email protected] or 905-246-0256

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  Categories: Media releases

• Experience the Brock difference at Open House, April 6

  Friday, March 28, 2025 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE – March 28, 2025 – R0042

  Brock is gearing up to share all the University has to offer as it welcomes thousands of future Badgers into its vibrant campus community at Spring Open House.

  Held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, Open House invites prospective students and their families to learn about the University’s innovative programming, cutting-edge research and hands-on learning and extracurricular opportunities.

  Visitors will be met by hundreds of student ambassadors, staff and faculty members who are all eager to share how Brock will set them up for success and positively shape their lives.

  Matt Melnyk, Director, Student Recruitment, said combining unique learning experiences and campus tours with opportunities to connect with members of the Brock community gives students a genuine sense of what it’s like to call the University home.

  “Open House allows us to make meaningful connections with future and prospective students as they get a first-hand look into all that our close-knit community has to offer,” he said. “We look forward to highlighting our exceptional programs and research capacity, scenic campus setting and the breadth of support available to students from the minute they step onto campus.”

  The day is packed with tours, presentations and demonstrations, as well as an 80-booth Information Fair in the Ian Beddis Gymnasium, where guests can ask key questions about programs, extracurricular involvement and supports across campus.

  New this year is a reception hosted by the Faculty of Mathematics and Science in Brock’s Pond Inlet from 12:15 to 4 p.m. It will highlight departments, clubs and extracurricular opportunities within the Faculty, and act as the meeting site for department and lab tours. Other program-specific presentations will also take place throughout the day, where visitors can learn more about their academic areas of interest.

  Guided ‘Hot Spot tours’ will allow students to immerse themselves in Brock’s innovative classroom and research spaces, service and support areas, recreational spaces, and more. Students can participate in as many tours as they would like, including opportunities to visit the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts in downtown St. Catharines and the Goodman School of Business. Residence tours and presentations will also be offered, highlighting the various housing styles available and the benefits of being part of the residence community.

  Presentations on “Next Steps to Becoming a Brock Badger” will run every hour, giving students insight into how to apply for bursaries, awards and Brock’s experiential Plus Programs. To further support students in the transition to Brock, information on summer orientation programs and course registration, typical costs for first-year students, OSAP funding and how to make tuition payments will also be provided.

  Students interested in applying or confirming an existing offer of acceptance can also do so at Open House by connecting with an on-site member of the Enrolment Services team.

  “We are passionate about providing a one-of-a-kind experience that reinforces Brock’s reputation as a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone can thrive,” said Carly Dugo, Senior Recruitment Officer, Events and Operations. “We are excited to welcome thousands of future Badgers to our beautiful campus and showcase the many reasons Brock continues to be a top choice for so many students.”

  For a full Open House schedule, visit the event website.

   

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  *Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483

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  Categories: Media releases