Check out the latest projects in the Prentice Institute – City of Lethbridge Work Integrated Learning collaboration!
The City Scholars Program provides students with hands-on experience structured around both professional and academic outcomes. At the City of Lethbridge, students have the unique opportunity to work on projects that inform the work of the City in areas such as urban planning and design, land development, heritage management, and corporate practices, while also benefiting from the mentorship of City and faculty supervisors.
The skills and experiences gained through City Scholars Work Integrated Learning opportunities supports students as they enter the workforce or pursue further studies.
Planning & Design Land Use Bylaw Renewal
The Planning & Design department is responsible for urban planning, development regulation and building inspections within the City of Lethbridge. In early 2023, the department began work on an ambitious, multi-year project to completely rewrite the City’s Land Use Bylaw. As part of this project, and working with the Planning team, the successful candidate(s) with producing a series of “Decoding” papers. These papers will be public facing documents which provide background to the public about a range of topics related to the Land Use Bylaw (e.g. “Decoding Neighbourhoods”, “Decoding Downtown”, etc.). In addition, the successful candidate will assist in carrying out software and field surveys and checking existing developments/zoning against the current Land Use Bylaw 6300, in order to catalogue any non-conforming developments.Assessing the Impact of Students
In 2022 – 2023 the City, alongside the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College, was a key partner in a study that evaluated the key drivers of graduate retention in Lethbridge and region. Through the lens and findings of that study, Partner Services wishes to learn more about the broader impact of students and post-secondary institutions on the community. This includes: 1) the short (during degree) and long-term (post-graduation) economic impact of students 2) the economic impact of hosting two large post-secondary institutions and 3) the broader social and cultural impacts of both students and post-secondary institutions on the community. For example, what is the economic impact of a domestic or international student while they are studying in Lethbridge? What is the annual economic impact of the University? What types of social and cultural contributions to students make to the broader community?
It is hoped that the data and analysis of this applied study will help Partner Services explore the benefits of possible future policy and/or strategic planning-focused work around graduate retention.
Exploring Artificial Intelligence within Communications and Public Engagement
The focus of the applied study will be to carry out research and analysis regarding best practices and opportunities for the use of AI within municipal communications and engagement. Specifically, how are other municipalities already using these technologies in their work to reach residents and analyze feedback, and what are the key factors / considerations influencing the adoption of AI (e.g., ethics, data privacy, etc.).
Exploring Connections for Fine Arts Applied Learning
Two City of Lethbridge departments are joining forces to seek one undergraduate student to participate in a unique Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity for the Winter 2024 Semester. The Partner Services department is responsible for building supportive relationships with post-secondary institutions to help improve the ways in which the City designs and delivers, programs, plans, policies and services. The Recreation and Culture department is responsible for overseeing facilities, programs and partnerships that provide opportunities for residents to engage with sports, recreation, the arts, and culture in the community.
The focus of the applied study will be to carry out research and analysis regarding opportunities for current and future University of Lethbridge Fine Arts students to participate in WIL, in collaboration with the City of Lethbridge and our community partners.
The student will explore the types of placements and opportunities available at other post-secondary fine arts programs, the needs of the City and our community partners in this area, and the intersections between those needs and the Faculty's programmatic offerings. The final outcome will be a report that summarizes the student's findings and describes new opportunities for collaboration that benefit the City, students, the Faculty of Fine Arts, and ultimately the community as a whole.
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The Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy is located on traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Indigenous Peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our community.