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Two new Chang School certificates in aboriginal knowledges and experiences, and entrepreneurship and multiculturalism cover two different topics but each serves as a career builder.

The certificate in aboriginal knowledges and experiences addresses Ryerson’s overarching commitment to increasing aboriginal participation in post‐secondary education in a way that ensures aboriginal initiatives are focused, co-ordinated, and driven by aboriginal needs and values. Intended for a wide range of aboriginal and non-aboriginal learners, the certificate is a multi-disciplinary exploration, analysis, and reflection upon aboriginal experiences in Canada. It provides an overview of aboriginal experiences in Canada and how Aboriginal Peoples have been affected by laws, policies and practices in the health, social services and human resources. Students will begin or expand their knowledge and understanding of aboriginal worldviews, and develop professional skills in working with aboriginal peoples and communities. The curriculum will be developed and taught by aboriginal scholars both at Ryerson and externally, reflecting the aboriginal lived experience.

“The certificate is a small but important step on a longer path in fulfilling these goals which aim to develop an understanding of experiences and relationships between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people from many dimensions: historical, political, social, arts and health,” said Cyndy Baskin, academic co-ordinator and social work professor. “Aboriginal students, in particular, will gain confidence in themselves and in the university. Aboriginal learners will see that the university is striving to provide curriculum that is relevant and accurate about aboriginal worldviews and experiences. Skills such as critical analysis, self-reflection, written and oral communication, accurate terminology, becoming an ally and the application of aboriginal worldviews that are applicable to all people of the world will be learned.”

The certificate in entrepreneurship and multiculturalism is the first of its kind in Canada, offered jointly by the Ted Rogers School of Business Management (Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy) and The Chang School. The new certificate is designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs the skills needed to launch and run a business within a multicultural context. It will be of particular interest to immigrants, both new and existing, who represent Canada’s largest emerging entrepreneurial cohort.

Academic co-ordinator and Ted Rogers School of Management professor Sean Wise says newcomers find their niche as entrepreneurs as an alternative career option when they come to Canada. 

"Many newcomers from around the world arrive in Canada only to find their professional credentials aren't valid or that they lack the resources to replicate their prior practice. In some cases, newcomers turn to entrepreneurship," Wise said. "To me, Canada's multiculturalism means we have a diverse community and very diverse buyers. That leads to more opportunity for greater heterogenous services and products. One only needs to see the variety of restaurants that exist in Toronto for proof of that point."

The program employs the Lean Launchpad experiential approach, which allows students to engage in the business startup process as they study. The Lean LaunchPad tool is currently used in Ryerson’s undergraduate entrepreneurship program and the concepts were successfully deployed in Ryerson’s Digital Specialization Program.

“The Lean startup methodology is an entrepreneurial paradigm shift.  In the 20th century, entrepreneurs wrote business plans, developed full-feature products and tried to raise millions of venture capital in order to prove the merit of their ideas,” Wise said. “Today, under the Lean approach, founders cheaply and quickly build viable products and then test them with real customers. Continuous feedback from customers guides future versions through agile development. For entrepreneurs, the lean approach lowers failure rates by helping startups find their product and market fit faster.”