New institution to open soon in British Columbia
More than 30 years ago, Wolfgang Zimmerman suffered a spinal cord injury in a workplace logging accident. At 20 years old, his forestry career came to an abrupt end.
Today, Zimmerman is a champion for workplace health and safety management and executive director of the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR).
The organization led the opening of a new Port Alberni, B.C. university on Sept. 6, which is devoted to subjects like occupational safety, rehabilitation and disability management.
Proponents of the Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS) — billed as the first institution of its kind — expect the school will not only become a leading centre for innovation in workplace health sciences, but also highlight the subject area’s scholarly importance.
The school’s first bachelor of arts (BA) program is still in development with the goal of having its first student intake September 2013. PCU-WHS’ multidisciplinary approach to occupational health topics is increasingly necessary, as populations age and mental health issues are on the rise, said Zimmerman.
“In Canada and the rest of the world, there are universities and colleges that pick certain pieces of workplace health issues,” he said. “There are standalone degrees in disability management, or other degrees in rehabilitation.
“But these issues don’t work in isolation. The goal of PCU-WHS is to be a global center of expertise, where we look at the whole workplace health cycle.”
The $5 million post-secondary facility spans 12,000 square feet. It includes a library, offices, a 120-seat lecture hall and three classrooms, each with capacity for about 20 to 25 people.
Yet, much of PCU-WHS’ instruction won’t actually happen on campus.
Programs will primarily be conducted through distance education, with students required to be on-site for a period of time each year. The emphasis on online instruction is especially necessary, as PCU-WHS faculty will be from all around the globe.
“I’m hopeful that PCU-WHS will improve occupational health and safety in the province,” said John Panusa, director of governance for WorkSafeBC. “And that it will improve the knowledge level of graduates entering the workforce, and that research will generate knowledge that can be applied in the workforce.”
The not-for-profit university is opening at a time of growing interest in workplace health sciences, according to Zimmerman.
About 1,200 students enrol in NIDMAR’s workplace health education programs annually, which are offered exclusively online and licensed in 16 countries.
“Five years ago, it would have been less than half that number,” Zimmerman said.
According to the International Labour Organization, 270 million work-related accidents occur annually, while 160 million people suffer from work-related diseases each year.
James Lunney, MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, said the PCU-WHS’ location in Port Alberni is like “coming home to roost,” as the town is known for its proud industrial heritage.
The school will mean more people will travel there for conferences and courses — and this will help create jobs, Lunney said.
“Investing in improving workplace health and safety practices has important outcomes for everybody,” Lunney said.
Yet, the road to this destination hasn’t been easy. While NIDMAR landed its first agreement with the province in 2005, it took years to gather enough funding support, Zimmerman said.
The City of Port Alberni’s donation of a 3.5-acre parcel of land helped make the PCU-WHS project “shovel ready”— this was key to securing a $1.65 million federal knowledge-infrastructure funding grant.
Mining company Teck Resources donated another $1.5 million and, at PCU-WHS’ opening ceremony, B.C.’s former Minister of Labour Stephanie Cadieux announced the provincial government would donate $250,000 through WorkSafeBC.
“We have provided funding to both the University of British Columbia and the University of Northern British Columbia with regard to vocational rehabilitation and occupational hygiene, so funding PCU is not an unusual decision,” Panusa said.
The university has also launched a $3 million campaign to raise funds for capital projects and curriculum development.
Going forward, the university’s next biggest obstacle is whether it can build up its reputation and credibility, despite being a young university.
“All universities, regardless of where they are or what year they’re built, must start out small and grow with time,” Zimmerman said. “We’ll have to go through the same process.
“Right now, we’re just at the ground floor.”
Today, Zimmerman is a champion for workplace health and safety management and executive director of the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR).
The organization led the opening of a new Port Alberni, B.C. university on Sept. 6, which is devoted to subjects like occupational safety, rehabilitation and disability management.
Proponents of the Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS) — billed as the first institution of its kind — expect the school will not only become a leading centre for innovation in workplace health sciences, but also highlight the subject area’s scholarly importance.
The school’s first bachelor of arts (BA) program is still in development with the goal of having its first student intake September 2013. PCU-WHS’ multidisciplinary approach to occupational health topics is increasingly necessary, as populations age and mental health issues are on the rise, said Zimmerman.
“In Canada and the rest of the world, there are universities and colleges that pick certain pieces of workplace health issues,” he said. “There are standalone degrees in disability management, or other degrees in rehabilitation.
“But these issues don’t work in isolation. The goal of PCU-WHS is to be a global center of expertise, where we look at the whole workplace health cycle.”
The $5 million post-secondary facility spans 12,000 square feet. It includes a library, offices, a 120-seat lecture hall and three classrooms, each with capacity for about 20 to 25 people.
Yet, much of PCU-WHS’ instruction won’t actually happen on campus.
Programs will primarily be conducted through distance education, with students required to be on-site for a period of time each year. The emphasis on online instruction is especially necessary, as PCU-WHS faculty will be from all around the globe.
“I’m hopeful that PCU-WHS will improve occupational health and safety in the province,” said John Panusa, director of governance for WorkSafeBC. “And that it will improve the knowledge level of graduates entering the workforce, and that research will generate knowledge that can be applied in the workforce.”
The not-for-profit university is opening at a time of growing interest in workplace health sciences, according to Zimmerman.
About 1,200 students enrol in NIDMAR’s workplace health education programs annually, which are offered exclusively online and licensed in 16 countries.
“Five years ago, it would have been less than half that number,” Zimmerman said.
According to the International Labour Organization, 270 million work-related accidents occur annually, while 160 million people suffer from work-related diseases each year.
James Lunney, MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, said the PCU-WHS’ location in Port Alberni is like “coming home to roost,” as the town is known for its proud industrial heritage.
The school will mean more people will travel there for conferences and courses — and this will help create jobs, Lunney said.
“Investing in improving workplace health and safety practices has important outcomes for everybody,” Lunney said.
Yet, the road to this destination hasn’t been easy. While NIDMAR landed its first agreement with the province in 2005, it took years to gather enough funding support, Zimmerman said.
The City of Port Alberni’s donation of a 3.5-acre parcel of land helped make the PCU-WHS project “shovel ready”— this was key to securing a $1.65 million federal knowledge-infrastructure funding grant.
Mining company Teck Resources donated another $1.5 million and, at PCU-WHS’ opening ceremony, B.C.’s former Minister of Labour Stephanie Cadieux announced the provincial government would donate $250,000 through WorkSafeBC.
“We have provided funding to both the University of British Columbia and the University of Northern British Columbia with regard to vocational rehabilitation and occupational hygiene, so funding PCU is not an unusual decision,” Panusa said.
The university has also launched a $3 million campaign to raise funds for capital projects and curriculum development.
Going forward, the university’s next biggest obstacle is whether it can build up its reputation and credibility, despite being a young university.
“All universities, regardless of where they are or what year they’re built, must start out small and grow with time,” Zimmerman said. “We’ll have to go through the same process.
“Right now, we’re just at the ground floor.”
