British Columbia Institute of Technology
IN-48: Innovation B

BCIT Through an IDEAS Lens

The IDEAS Lens launched in 2024 and was developed collaboratively between multiple BCIT departments: Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, Institute Sustainability, Student Success, and the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office.

The development of the IDEAS Lens recognizes that our work in Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, Institute Sustainability, Student Success, and the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office is deeply interconnected. IDEAS is made up of seven components that orient our work at BCIT, guiding how we collaborate and relate. It also outlines a path to achieving our goals. By applying an IDEAS Lens, we can develop tools to integrate IDEAS throughout BCIT.

At BCIT, we are building a holistic lens, grounded in truth, that unites Indigenous reconciliation, inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility, sustainability, and student wellbeing. Acknowledging our historical and contemporary realities, we recognize the impacts of colonialism, racism, sexism, and discrimination. IDEAS embodies care and accountability, with everyone at BCIT playing a role in advancing these principles.

Founded in Truths

Indigenous reconciliation is foundational, honouring Indigenous lands and waters, traditions, and knowledge through meaningful relationships.

Inclusivity and diversity celebrate all voices, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences. Equity requires proactive measures to address systemic barriers and ensure equal opportunities.

Accessibility covers physical spaces, digital resources, and social support systems, ensuring no one is left behind. Sustainability commits to ecological integrity and social justice, promoting conservation and ethical practices institute wide.

Central to all of this is student wellbeing, focusing on mental health, community-building, and personal growth.

IDEAS Components

Indigenous

As used in BCIT’s Indigenous Vision, the term ‘Indigenous’ includes First Nation (Status and Non-status), Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada. It is used in place of the term ‘Aboriginal’. In the context of the BCIT IDEAS Lens, ‘Indigenous’ covers Indigenization, Decolonization, and Reconciliation. As outlined in Pulling Together: A Guide for Curriculum Developers:

• “Indigenization is the process of naturalizing Indigenous knowledge systems and making them evident to transform spaces, places, and hearts. In the context of post-secondary education, this involves bringing Indigenous knowledge and approaches together with Western knowledge systems. It is a deliberate coming together of these two ways of being.
• Decolonization is the process of deconstructing colonial ideologies of the superiority and privilege of Western thought and approaches. Decolonization involves valuing and revitalizing Indigenous knowledge and approaches and rethinking Western biases or assumptions that have impacted Indigenous ways of being.
• Reconciliation is addressing past wrongs done to Indigenous Peoples, making amends, and improving relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to create a better future for all.”

All three components have a place in our work at BCIT and this work is done not just through actions but through a sincere and authentic process that involves relationship-building, meaningful and sustainable partnerships, and respectful engagement. This is the work of all people. This work honours and recognizes Indigenous knowledge systems and knowledge holders to transform education, services, spaces, and places at BCIT.

Inclusion

Inclusion means creating an environment in which all BCIT employees, students, and community members feel welcomed, respected, valued, and supported to participate in all opportunities. An inclusive environment creates a sense of belonging and dignity while allowing all individuals to be their true, authentic selves.

Diversity

Diversity refers to all the ways in which people differ. It encompasses all the characteristics, identities, personal experiences, values, and worldviews that make one individual or group different from another. Diversity can be both visible and invisible and includes, but is not limited to, differences in age, race, class, religion, ability, gender, and sexual orientation.

Equity

Equity refers to ensuring fair treatment, access, and opportunity for all students and employees. This requires preventing, identifying, and eliminating barriers that have prevented the full participation of systemically oppressed groups. Equity does not necessarily mean treating everyone the same, but rather recognizing that students and employees may require different treatment to enable fair and equal access to opportunities.

Access

Access means ensuring that all individuals can actively participate in every facet of society, including education, employment, and social connection, on an equal basis with others. Achieving this involves identifying and removing barriers—whether physical, social, attitudinal, economic, digital, among others—that hinder full inclusion and participation.

Sustainability

 As defined in the Sustainability Vision, sustainability is leading socially just lives within ecological limits. This aligns with the internationally accepted definition of the ability of current generations to meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

At BCIT, sustainability encompasses enabling learners and industry partners to transform the state of practice toward supportive systems that help people lead socially just lives within ecological limits. It extends to our operations and community engagements and impacts, locally and around the world.

Student Wellbeing

Fostering student wellbeing involves establishing an environment where students have the agency and resources to shape their quality of life across cultural, emotional, mental, physical, social, and spiritual dimensions, based on their own experiences, priorities, and perspectives. Wellbeing is the outcome of the policies, institutions, economies, and ecosystems of the environment people inhabit. Achieving it requires collaborative action across all levels, partners, and sectors.

 These principles cultivate a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable culture empowering all members – employees and students alike – to thrive and contribute positively to society.

BCIT Guiding Documentation

The IDEAS Lens seeks to bring together a set of visions, strategies, and plans from across BCIT and provide a holistic lens through which to embed the guiding documentation across and throughout BCIT.

• Indigenous Vision: https://www.bcit.ca/indigenous-vision/
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy (under development)
• Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion Annual Report (2023): https://www.bcit.ca/files/respect/5315_rdi_annual_report_final_remediated.pdf
• Anti-Racism Framework: https://www.bcit.ca/anti-racism-framework/
• Accessibility Hub and Plan: https://www.bcit.ca/accessibility-hub/
• Sustainability Vision: https://www.bcit.ca/sustainability-vision/
• Student Wellbeing and Resilience Framework: https://www.bcit.ca/student-services/health-wellness/student-well-being-and-resilience-framework/
• People Vision: https://www.bcit.ca/people-vision/

Resources for Action

All departments at BCIT have an opportunity to apply the IDEAS Lens to their work. The initial IDEAS Road Map identifies four areas of focus: Governance and Accountability, Operationalization, Teaching and Learning, and Engaging with Students. The IDEAS working group has developed an action plan which is currently underway while developing a set of tools for employees that can support the application of the lens. 

Resources include:

• IDEAS FAQ (under development)
• IDEAS Guiding Document for Academic Planning and Quality Assurance (APQA) [PDF]: https://www.bcit.ca/academic-planning-quality-assurance/
• IDEAS Action Planning template (under development)