Students, staff and faculty are invited to apply from Nov. 10 to Dec. 1.

“Clearly, systemic oppression in all of its forms is still alive and well. We all have to do our part to keep working to change inequitable systems,” says Robin Attas, EDIA Specialist, Extended Education.

“The responsible thing to do is to step up and do our part. Do it for the people you love. Do it for your children, family, friends, and colleagues. If you want to help, learn more by taking this course.”

EDIA: Foundations provides a framework to make sense of the world and a place to learn with each other, she says. The course and three-course micro-certificate are offered to the UM community at no cost to learners.

“Our numbers are strong. We have participants from every faculty and many units on campus. It’s amazing how much it has grown, and it is amazing to see this continue.”

Attas invites UM community members including students, staff and faculty to join the UM’s growing EDIA learning community and apply for the course. And those who have already taken it can invite their peers.

EDIA learner, Jasmine Brar, recommends the program.

“We all need to understand our experiences and our barriers we face in our daily lives. If we move those barriers, there is so much we can achieve,” says Brar.

EDIA 0100: Foundations and the Micro-certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are offered by Extended Education in partnership with the Office of Equity Transformation and with the support of the UM President’s Office as part of UM’s efforts to improve equity and access across UM campuses by educating and empowering UM staff, students and faculty to contribute to individual and collective transformation.

“The University of Manitoba remains firmly committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA). It is in our Strategic Plan,” Attas says. “This is one way UM, and Extended Education, demonstrate that commitment.”

Apply now

EDIA 0100: Foundations course applications are open from Nov. 10 to Dec. 1.

Learn how to apply to the EDIA: Foundations course

Nnebuogor Frances Ikem, Applied Business Management

Nnebuogor Frances Ikem worked as a business analyst for Krysny Nigeria Ltd, a paint company. She studied philosophy, leadership and innovation in her native Nigeria and attended short programs in India. But she wanted more.

“I wanted to improve myself and get a proper certificate,” says the Applied Business Management grad. “My elder sister studied with Extended Education. She told me it was the right place for me to go to and the program was in line with what I was trying to do. UM is one of the top universities in the world. Their education standards are next to none.”

Her sister introduced her to the city and campus during the winter.

“It was the coldest place I had ever been. But I was super excited. I wrote my name in the snow. I love Winnipeg. The people are friendly and warm.”

Now she recommends Extended Education to everyone. “If you want to update the knowledge you already have, they give you all you need to study and learn more. They polished us so we came out better than the older version of ourselves.”

Her sister and nephew will attend grad with her. “I feel so proud of myself. So happy that I studied and got results. If you sit down and put your mind to something, you can achieve it.”

She is especially proud of completing accounting. “As someone who always ran from math, not the best student, I had never done accounting in my life. Initially I was scared. I had tutors. I did well. I was not left on my own. The school made it happen.”

Her Industry Placement as an administrative assistant at the Elizabeth Fry Society made her part of the team and provided insights and inspiration. “How they rekindle hope in young women and integrate them back into society, to believe in themselves, is amazing. They don’t judge. They treat everyone with respect. I learned about Indigenous culture. I will always cherish learning from them.”

Since she completed her studies, she says she misses the UM community and hopes to come back and do her Master’s in Business Administration.

Abdulrazak Yusuf, Extended Education grad

Abdulrazak Yusuf, Applied Business Analysis

Abdulrazak Yusuf celebrates his graduation from Applied Business Analysis.

In Nigeria, Yusuf had a bachelor’s degree in geography and social sciences, and experience with business process management and consulting. “I enjoy the people part of it, engaging with people across departments, looking at how processes run and making improvements.”

He found his Extended Education program while doing online research. “I was drawn to the richness of the course. It was not just business analysis but also communication, leadership, organizational change. Presentation skills were very, very useful. When presenting to stakeholders, the right skills are important.”

UM offered a lively community, he says. “The diversity was very engaging. I made friends across different countries and environments. Multiculturalism — meeting different people with different perspectives, really enriched my experience. There were a lot of activities. I became involved in volunteer programs through UM including Canadian Blood Services.”

Yusuf did his Industry Placement with U-Turn Parkinson’s.

“I want to work in healthcare. With this not-for-profit, I looked at data analytics and processes, to see how they run and find more capabilities within their existing business solutions.”

He learned about Winnipeg from a friend who had come here to take another program and was initially apprehensive about the winter weather. “I learned it was not about the weather. It was about dressing in the right clothing, having a good coat and boots from the beginning.”

While the weather takes some getting used to, he says, plans to bring his family to Winnipeg and make himself at home here. He recommends studying with Extended Education.

“It’s a remarkable achievement for me, graduating, and with good grades. My family is in Nigeria but my inlaws will attend with me.”

Baljot Kaur, Applied Human Resource Management

Baljot Kaur celebrates her graduation from Applied Human Resource Management.

Kaur earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and worked for a year as an HR consultant in India before coming here to study. Her family ran a business but she wanted to work in human resources.

Her cousin recommended the Extended Education program and had taken it previously. Her older brother also encouraged her to come to Winnipeg and to study HR at UM. He had come to Winnipeg earlier to do another certificate program.

“I am glad I am here and graduating from the University of Manitoba,” says Kaur. “It was a great experience. I got to know my instructors who helped me in a very good way. They teach in a manner that offers not just content but everything about what’s important for HR people and what happens in the world out there.”

In her HR studies, she appreciated learning about legislation, labour relations, HR planning, and interpersonal communication. “Every course is helping me.”

Completing her Industry Placement with Travel Manitoba, she learned about collective agreements, resumes, and how job descriptions are created. She also participated in the process of interviewing some candidates.

“Now I am actively looking for a full-time job, in an introductory HR position in a company in Winnipeg. I want to get started and get into a generalist position in the future.”

She highly recommends studying with Extended Education at the University of Manitoba. “The university environment is so different from my former college. There are so many activities and courses. And in Manitoba, there are definitely opportunities for new grads here.”

Learn more about Extended Education programs and courses

“No one will ever be too old to learn,” says the panelist at Extended Education’s recent Homecoming 2024 webinar.  

“Lifelong learning has become a way of life for me. There is a need for us to constantly improve ourselves. We need the education system to keep up. Extended Education has provided a flexible education system that was suitable for my stage and is suitable for all stages in life.”

The title of the webinar, Futures of education: equity, inclusion and lifelong learning, refers to the concept of the evolution of education created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), says moderator, Ute Kothe, Dean, Extended Education. “Yes. There are many futures. Education is key to addressing the needs of our changing society. Our education systems must be ready to tackle the challenges of the future. And, at Extended Education, we want to empower all learners, to break down barriers. We start with equity and create inclusive spaces.”

A warm smile

Onyike is an accomplished professional with credentials from Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She remembers attending the orientation for her UM studies and shares her experience.

The challenge for an international student is to adapt to the diversity of people from all around the world, she says. “It can be overwhelming, but when staff greet you with the greatest smile you have ever seen, you know it is going to be okay. Continue the warm smile. That first impression matters. I felt assurance we were in good hands. Later, I wanted to be the one offering that warm smile.”

A holistic approach

Education is about personal and professional growth, says panelist Carlos Miranda García- Personal Counsellor, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs. “A holistic approach explores different parts of who we are- in heart, mind, body, and spirit.” The Access Program includes Indigenous and newcomer students. “They have different identities and stories, yet parallels can be drawn from those stories. Holistic principles encourage us to see interconnectedness in all things. “When students connect to themselves and their communities, they can also see this interconnectedness.”

Creating wrap-around supports and understanding there are different pathways to healing are essential, he says. “Supports like counselling provide a scaffolding for students as they come into their journey.”

For example, he remembers a student who was struggling with the possibility of becoming homeless, and wrap-around supports were able to quickly help them through. Also, many students have their doubts, struggling with imposter syndrome, but holistic support can help them to realize this is where they belong, he says.

EDIA

Panelist Robin Attas, Project Lead, UM Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility (EDIA) micro-certificate and Foundations course says, “Learners are human beings. Learning happens not just in the classroom. And you can’t learn if you are hungry, experiencing homelessness, or facing racism. EDIA reminds everyone we all have a role to play and more to learn.”

It’s important for educators to continually learn and adapt to the needs of their students, Attas says. “Each learner is unique. As educators, we should always strive to be better, more equitable, more fair, more inclusive in our teaching.”

She adds, “The UM EDIA program emphasizes competency development including not just content but skills and habits of mind. This empowers and motivate learners, whether UM staff, students, or faculty, to take action towards educational futures that better serve society, building capacity at the University of Manitoba for doing this important work.”

Community

Panelist Vicki Hatt, Instructor, Academic Language Support, shares highlights of some of the work she does. “We invite the elder to orientation and encourage students to bring their culture with them to their studies. We look at academic integrity and building a sense of community. Our setting up for success workshop includes experiential learning with meditation and a desk stretch to help relax students.”

Diversity

And we are learning in a diverse world, says Onyike.

“In Canada, all sorts of people are in our classrooms. I love how diverse we all are- in appearance, perspective, culture. We need to offer a variety of learning approaches to meet diverse needs, to prepare us for a complex multicultural workplace. When we learn that mindset, we ease effortlessly into the workplace.”

Watch the webinar.

“Inequities cost us lost opportunities, and lost talent. Society loses out. We need everyone at the table, to solve the world’s challenges. We need a well-educated, diverse workforce, so businesses can get the best employees,” says Ute Kothe, Dean, Extended Education, moderator for University of Manitoba (UM) Extended Education’s UM Homecoming 2024 webinar, Futures of education: equity, inclusion, and lifelong learning. Registration is required to join the Sept. 16 event.

The webinar topic is inspired by a 2021 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, Reimagining Our Futures Together: A new social contract for education. According to the report, “This new social contract is our chance to repair past injustices and transform the future. Above all, it is based on the right to quality education throughout life.”

Education is a human right, and everyone has a right to education, from children to older adults. “UNESCO proposes the right to education should include the right to lifelong education- the key mission of Extended Education,” says Kothe.

“The report looks at the evolution of education, and how education can help us to adjust to our rapidly changing world.”

Education for all

Everyone has the right to education, no matter who they are and where they come from. We must create inclusive education and learning where everybody feels welcome. Fully implementing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) principles is crucial to the futures of education, or we will miss people and possibilities.”

Education isn’t what it used to be, and it should continue to be transformed to engage humanity so we can create better futures together.

“We in Extended Education want to inspire people for lifelong learning, so they can relate education to their work and everyday lives. And importantly, we all have to contribute to inclusive workspaces that allow everybody to participate and strive. Through inclusive education, we can learn how to achieve this goal.”

The webinar will discuss what it means to provide inclusive education, and showcase Extended Education’s approaches to providing it. The panelists will share their perspectives, and share practical approaches to creating inclusive learning environments.

EDIA

Robin Attas, project lead, EDIA credential, will discuss how the University of Manitoba is working towards an inclusive culture with our new equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility (EDIA) micro-certificate and Foundations course for the UM community. It is focused on developing competencies (skills) rather than knowledge, and offered for students, staff and faculty. Perhaps there will be interest in developing an external version shortly.

Indigenous support

Carlos Miranda García, Personal Counsellor, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs, will share how we engage the Indigenous community through our Access Program.  “We are mindful of past problems, of silenced voices and significant harm through residential schools. We have an obligation to make good. He will look beyond education to a holistic pedagogy of care, supporting mind, body and spirit, with Indigenous knowledge and support from our Grandfather (Unkan), Wanbdi Wakita.”

Intercultural teaching and learning

Vicki Hatt, instructor, Academic Language Support, and Applied Business Management graduate, Ogadimma Onyike will explore intercultural teaching and learning. “It’s important to embrace the value of diversity. Education had become more international through global challenges and immigration. Community and individual supports are key.”

Learn more about the Sept. 16 webinar and register now

Host, Marcy Markusa, speaks with Cecil Rosner, content provider and instructor for the Media Literacy, Critical Thinking and Investigative Journalism program

To listen to the full interview, please visit CBC Manitoba. 

“It’s an opportunity to grow and to expand your horizons,” says Ute Kothe, Dean, University of Manitoba (UM) Extended Education. “It’s in our hands to choose what is best for us, to seek out what we find interesting and fulfilling. We can be proactive and make choices, taking ownership of our lives and careers, choosing what we would like to learn and where we would like to go, so we can live as well as possible.”

While lifelong learning can come to us through formal education at school and in post-secondary studies, it is also much more than that, Kothe says. “It is an attitude, an open mind. Be observant. Try new things. Learn from others, whether your learning is purposeful or by accident.”

Working professionals often rely on their earlier education, but as you move through your career, the world changes. Continuing your lifelong learning with professional development is a great way to stay current and get ahead.

“Through professional development, you will have the tools to ensure you are ready to advance in your career, and you will continue to enjoy your job, preventing it from getting stale and routine. Lifelong learning will also help to make you uniquely qualified for opportunities.”

Discover new opportunities

Kothe was not always so enthusiastic about lifelong learning. She remembers when she was first asked to take a four-day workshop. “I didn’t think I needed to do it. I didn’t see the benefits. But it was a life-changing experience. I learned new skills. I networked. It enabled me to see other opportunities. It opened more doors, to help bring me to the next level.”

She has also seen similar unexpected results in her colleagues. For example, she recommended a leadership program to one, and they became fascinated with one aspect of it, continued to pursue it with passion, and helped many other colleagues.

 “Try it out. See what comes next.”

Today, there are so many opportunities to learn. “How lucky we are that there are so many free learning opportunities out there. It’s not about choosing one opportunity over another. Use the free opportunities to spark your interest and then continue your education in a more formal manner to reach a new level of depth and understanding.”

UM Extended Education allows learners to extend their education and bring it to the next level by pursuing professional lifelong learning opportunities. “Traditional post-secondary education pays off, but it is a big commitment. Our lifelong learning opportunities are more flexible and tailored to the needs of the learner. You can take a single course or complete a short program or certificate with very flexible scheduling.”

The University of Manitoba had one of the first continuing education units in Canada. “Your learning is an investment of time and money. With us, you know you are engaging with an experienced institution. Our courses and programs are meant to help you advance in your life and career.”

Kothe highlights some examples of Extended Education’s latest programs.

Extended Education Programs

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Management goes beyond using software to the management of complex processes that is becoming very important in Canada for professionals in architecture, engineering, construction, as well as building owners and operators.

Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning Solutions takes a big-picture approach on how to use and monitor AI and stay ahead of the game. It gives professionals an edge.

Media Literacy, Critical Thinking and Investigative Journalism shares how to understand and assess information, to inform choices, and acquire tools to advance our workplaces and to navigate our complex world.

Facilitating Older Adult Learning is a micro-certificate that reminds us that lifelong learning never stops. “Why should it? It’s for life, to have the skills to shape your world. We can help you to get better at facilitating lifelong learning for older adults.”

In a world where knowledge continues to accelerate, it is no longer our limiting factor.

“The world keeps changing. We must keep learning and develop the skills to navigate it.”

Learn more about Extended Education programs and courses

As seen in the Winnipeg Free Press

“EDIA goes beyond your job or your studies at UM. It also applies to your place in the world as a parent, sibling, friend, child. How do we make our world a better place?” says Usick.

The EDIA: Foundations course is for the UM Community including UM students, staff, and faculty. Offered by Extended Education in partnership with the Office of Equity Transformation and with the support of the UM President’s Office, it is part of the University of Manitoba’s efforts to improve equity and access across UM campuses, by educating and empowering UM staff, students, and faculty to contribute to individual and collective transformation. The course is the prerequisite for the new EDIA micro-certificate.

Brandy Usick completed the EDIA: Foundations course.

“It’s really about being a better human,” says Usick. “A key activity was drafting my own equity action statement. Now I have that to guide me into the future.”

The course reminded her to respect and celebrate diversity and the inclusion of all. “That’s important for me in my leadership role at UM. I want to ensure I do what I can to create an environment for others to feel welcome, valued and supported.”

Hearing and learning from others with different learned experiences was helpful and she says she looks forward to taking the EDIA program.  “It’s always important to reflect on what we are doing in our work. I recommend the course and encourage others to take it.”

Ifra Shami

Ifra Shami learned about the EDIA: Foundations course through her involvement with the Racial Equity and Inclusion Alliance student group at UM and knew she wanted to be a part of it.

 “It reflects core values I learned growing up, at home and in school. It’s important because this ties into every aspect of our personal, professional, and academic lives,” says the undergraduate Science student studying microbiology.

Shami describes the course as very fascinating. “We learned about the definitions of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and how they are all intertwined. The self-reflection activities showed us where we are confident and strong, and where we need to grow.”

One of the biggest things she learned was that there are many kinds of diversity. “Before the course, I understood diversity to mean diversity in visible characteristics. I learned I need to specify the type of diversity because there are also hidden identities.”

Knowing that people can be diverse in more than observable ways encourages her to dig deeper and seek to better understand people, she says. “I love to ask people about themselves. I prefer to listen rather than speak. I love to hear about people’s differences and experiences.”

Her goal is to be a part of making the UM campus a better place. “If we all have this kind of appreciation, it can be a collaborative effort.”

Shami is eager to apply for the new EDIA micro-certificate and deepen her knowledge. “I want to continue to learn. This is a wonderful opportunity.”

Stephanie Chesser completed the EDIA: Foundations course.

Stephanie Chesser

Stephanie Chesser also participated in the first offering of the EDIA: Foundations course.

Chesser, an assistant professor in Kinesiology and Recreation Management, says she learned things she had not expected including new and diverse ways to present ideas. She appreciated the opening exercise, where learners shared a poem created from their answers to questions about themselves in a creative personal introduction. “They shared memories and life moments, and it provided us with awesome snapshots to learn about people in a meaningful way.”

She also loved creating an identity map, presenting herself in a visual way that she could share with others. “I loved the creative opportunities in this course. Many default to the written word. This challenged us to be creative in diverse ways.”

Chesser recommends the experience. “There are always new things to learn, little gems to take with you.”

Most importantly, she says, she created her EDIA statement. She plans to add it to her tenure package, as she continues to move forward in her career.

“It’s beautiful that we live in such a diverse society. It is important to understand subjective experiences and barriers so we can all feel like we belong. We must use power and privilege to chip away at the barriers and create a more equitable campus,” says Chesser.

“As an educator and a parent, I remind others that not everyone experiences the world like you do. See what you can do to create change.”

Learn more about EDIA: Foundations

UM students, staff, and faculty who have completed the prerequisite course, EDIA: Foundations, will soon be able to apply to the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) micro-certificate program and register for its three courses. The first two courses will be offered in Fall 2024.

“There isn’t another program like this in Canada, with this scope, and offered at no cost to the learner,” says Robin Attas, an EDIA-focused educational developer seconded from the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning to develop and facilitate the first offering.

The prerequisite course – Foundations

The first offering of the prerequisite course wraps up in June. “It has been amazing,” says Attas. “It was exciting watching people interact with each other across roles. Staff, faculty, undergraduate and graduate students were all having important conversations and helping each other to learn more. Everyone was teaching and learning from each other.”

Learners who have completed it can now continue their EDIA learning journey with the EDIA micro-certificate.

The micro-certificate – Expansions, Actions, Reflections

The Micro-certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility includes three courses: EDIA: Expansions, EDIA: Actions, and EDIA: Reflections. The first two can be taken together or one after the other. The third course allows learners to reflect on what they learned and what comes next, says Attas.

This Extended Education program is a great choice for personal and professional growth, for career advancement and lifelong learning. It is offered in partnership with the Office of Equity Transformation and with the support of the UM President’s Office as part of UM’s efforts to improve equity and access across UM campuses by educating and empowering UM staff, students and faculty to contribute to individual and collective transformation.

Help the university meet commitments

“This is a program for everyone, to bring us all together to grow and learn in topics and skills related to EDIA,” says Attas. “It is a way to help the university meet its institutional commitments to respond to many UM reports and task forces: President’s Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Final Report, Responding to Sexual Violence, Harassment and Discrimination at the University of Manitoba: A Path Forward, Anti-Racism Task Force Interim Recommendations to Address Racism, University of Manitoba Indigenous Senior Leadership report.

“We can all do and learn more. Whether you are an expert or just beginning your journey with EDIA, you have a place in this program.”

Of the learners in the original cohort, she says, “I met people who are so passionate and engaged in EDIA. The program will continue the momentum.”

Apply for the prerequisite

Attas looks forward to facilitating the second session of the prerequisite course this fall.

EDIA: Foundations course applications are open from July 22 to August 8 and learners will again be invited to participate through a lottery process. Learn how to apply to the EDIA: Foundations course.

Learn more about the program

The EDIA micro-certificate program courses will be offered this fall. Those who have completed the prerequisite are invited to apply to the program and register for courses.

Learn more about the EDIA micro-certificate.

“It is exciting and refreshing to know people who come from different backgrounds. It is like I traveled over five countries without leaving Winnipeg,” he says, noting he met Chinese, Indian and Arab people, among others. “I am excited to learn how different cultures can come together to achieve the common good.”

It’s all about teamwork, he says. “I remember in my last semester, I had to lead the team. I was so angry things were not getting done. Then I tried to see things from their end, to work together with the team. You must know people think differently, have a common goal, and work together.”

Celebrating graduates

Olanrewaju is attending grad with his wife and daughter, and a friend. He is one of 150 grads completing intensive program packages including Applied Business Analysis, Applied Human Resource Management, and Applied Business Management. Extended Education also congratulates an additional 123 grads from 15 part-time programs including Business Analysis, Management and Administration, Human Resource Management, Program Development for Adult Learners, and Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning Solutions.

Olanrewaju says, “This is a milestone for me. I have acquired knowledge and experience I will use. I worked as tech support in Nigeria, supporting software development teams. I learned a lot here, new skills and tools to prepare me for the next phase in my life. I know about different cultures and how to talk to different people.”

He completed his Industry Placement at GHY International, helping the customs broker to register its clients onto a new government system. A friend told him about the program, and he recommends it to others.

“I want to be a Business Analyst. I so much enjoy the tasks and challenges,” he says, noting he has incorporated BA principles into both his personal and professional tasks, he is studying for his first professional certification, and he plans to keep learning. “They day you stop learning is the day you start dying. The more I study, the more I feel like I am living.”

He shares his advice with future students. “What you put your mind to, you can achieve. Studies can be intense but don’t get distracted. You will be fine. The resources are there to help you succeed.”

Annie Osondu Iheke in her cap and gown at grad.

Annie Osondu Iheke

Annie Osondu Iheke is excited about graduation. “I worked so hard for it,” says the Applied Human Resource Management grad attending her celebration with her brother and his wife. “My studies helped me to understand Human Resources in a different light.”

For the Nigerian/Ghanian with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, and administrative work experience, coming to study at UM and gain Canadian work experience with an Industry Placement was a dream come true. “The instructors were so positive and encouraging. They brought out the best in us. We were not sure in the beginning, but they showed us how things are done here.”

She loves HR because it has to do with people management. “A manager needs to know the weaknesses and how to bring out the best in their staff including providing a training plan to teach them what they need to know. Recruitment is about more than qualifications. It is identifying the best person. You can train a potential fit.”

At home, she says, managers did not have budgets for training and had to make a case to get funding, but here she sees a lot of training is going on. “It is standard here. It is compulsory at every level. There are funds dedicated for it. Here training is very important.”

The lessons she learned about communication style and business culture stay with her. “How to relate with coworkers here, I use that every day. It is different at home.”

She reminds the next group of students to connect with instructors. “The instructors are amazing. They are there to help you. Don’t feel shy to ask questions. They are always there for us, to point us in the right direction.”

Paola Uzgame at graduation.

Paola Uzgame

Applied Business Management grad, Paola Uzgame is attending graduation with her husband. “I feel enthusiastic about what comes next,” she says.

In Colombia, she had a degree in Marketing and Advertising, and worked in retail. Here, she completed her Industry Placement at Loblaws. “That was a huge benefit for me.”

She finds Winnipeg quiet and more peaceful than her former big city. “I love the campus. It is beautiful.”

When her temporary position at Loblaws is over, she plans to apply for new opportunities in an office environment. “It is very important to find a stable job. Not any specific position. What matters is that I learn, and I enjoy it. That is most important.”

Of the Canadian workplace, she says, she has learned she must adapt. “I recommend this program, and UM. It is very important to come with an open mind, to take advantage of the knowledge the instructors have. Don’t waste the opportunity.”

Learn more about Extended Education Programs and Courses

Extended Education’s Lifelong Webinar Series 2023-2024 wraps up on May 3 with its grand finale: AI and the Age of Augmentation: A Panel Discussion on the Future of AI in Lifelong Learning. Lev Gonick, CIO at Arizona State University (ASU) will talk about the ASU-Open AI partnership. He’ll be joined by previous series panelists, Kelly Shiohira (Executive Manager: Research and Data Ecosystems at Jet Education Services), Ray Schroeder (Senior Fellow at UPCEA), and Rod Lastra (lifelong learning professional at UM Extended Education).

“This session, focusing on how higher education can revolutionize teaching and learning with performative generative AI, promises to be a reflective overview of the past year as well as a visionary forecast of future possibilities,” says Lastra.

Most recent webinar

The most recent webinar in the series, with panelists Safiya Noble (author of Algorithms of Oppression) and Cecil Rosner (author of Manipulating the Message- How Powerful Forces Shape the News) looked at media and information ethics in the age of AI on April 4.

Noble left her career in advertising to go to grad school where she says she was concerned that academics looked at technology like the new public library. “They didn’t understand the purposeful manipulation of content.”

In her years of research, she considered what it means when tech companies control the information landscape, and what the consequences are for communities. For example, she says, “For years, a search for Black girls or Latino girls brought up porn. They became synonymous with hyper-sexualization.”

Human rights, media cuts

Noble calls the effects of AI on human rights the most important human rights issue in our lifetime.

Rosner, a career journalist, noted the alarming trend of ongoing media cuts. From 1991 to 2021, statistics show the number of journalists in Canada decreased from 13,000 to 11,000, he says. Over the same period, PR and communications people increased from 23,000 to 160,000.

“Journalists are bombarded by messages. Many are going unfiltered. The more wealthy and powerful put out the messages,” he says. “I have seen people lie to my face, but it goes unfiltered unless you have time to fact check.”

Propaganda and manipulation

Edward Bernays wrote a book called Propaganda: The Public Mind in the Making in 1928, says Rosner, noting Bernays was a founder of PR in the US.

“AI is accelerating the dissemination of false messages and misinformation. It is accelerating and magnifying the problem. For example, Facebook is blocking news organizations and I see fake news all the time. They are making money. They can’t be the arbiters of information and disinformation.”

Journalism must continue to be supported, says Noble. “When we look at the values of tech leadership in Silicon Valley, their biases get normalized. Debiasing AI is too narrow. It is a larger issue.

“The tech industry is a most powerful industry. It wants to mystify,” she says. “We have to be more specific. What are the impacts of generative AI on the environment? Could we regulate it based on its environmental cost, how it violates employer law or civil rights? We have to parse the intricacies and regulate or enforce our existing laws.”

Lastra began the session with a lesson on the Edward Bernays effect- the Engineering of Consent, showing diagrams about human perception of truth and the science of manipulation to illustrate how human perceptions can go from neutral beliefs to a persuaded effect, and strongly held beliefs can be reinforced with repetition and manipulation of the truth. He noted how AI amplifies and repeats falsehoods and how technology cannot distinguish fact from fiction.

“This was an eye-opening conversation,” says Lastra, looking forward to the grand finale on May 3.

Learn more and register for the May 3 webinar