Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) brings its annual conference to Manitoba this year with the help of four local colleges. Assiniboine Community College, l’École technique et professionnelle de l’Université de Saint-Boniface, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology and Red River College will host this important national event from May 24 to 26.

Over 600 leaders from the technical education sector are expected to take part in this year’s conference that will look at how colleges and institutes lead change through innovative practices and approaches in teaching and learning, applied research and engagement with business.

CICan’s 2015 Conference will be held at Winnipeg’s RBC Convention Centre, with a reception at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It will feature several prominent keynote speakers, including Comedian Rick Mercer, National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations and entrepreneur David Chilton, better known as the Wealthy Barber.

Several pre-conference activities will be held, including a symposium on rural education and partnerships hosted by Brandon’s Assiniboine Community College, a workshop on mentorship, an international forum that looks at ways colleges and institutes can support immigrant integration and a symposium on learning technologies hosted by Algonquin College.

For more information about the program, visit http://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/conference/

Colleges and Institutes Canada is the national and international voice of Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes and polytechnics. The association works with industry and social sectors to train 1.5 million learners of all ages and backgrounds at campuses serving over 3,000 urban, rural and remote communities in Canada. CICan operates in 29 countries via 12 offices around the world.