Quality Education

Quality Education graphic

The societal impact focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and fostering lifelong learning opportunities.

Lakehead University places a strong emphasis on quality education and lifelong learning.  Through innovative teaching approaches, equitable access and research excellence, Lakehead University fosters a diverse and inclusive educational environment.

Lifelong Learning Measures

4.3.1 Public resources (lifelong learning)

Does your university as a body provide access to educational resources for those not studying at the university, e.g. computers, library, online courses, access to lectures, etc?

Lakehead University is dedicated to providing access to educational resources that go beyond those studying at the university and extend to the communities we serve.  Lakehead University offers access to a variety of educational resources and tools which include:

  1. Public access to our campuses and facilities, welcoming community members to explore, engage and attend lectures, seminars and events. 
  2. Library services are available to students, staff, faculty, alumni and the general public at no cost.  Access to computers is available throughout the University, and we also have a shared library services platform hosting an extensive collection of digital teaching materials, research resources, and learning materials. Visitors can:
    1. Access books, journals, and learning materials
    2. Use on-campus computers
    3. Engage with digital research platforms via guest access
  3. Lakehead University offers a range of free and paid in person and online programs and opportunities aimed at supporting lifelong learning through the Community Zone, including programs, courses and workshops offered by the Office of Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning. These public resources to promote lifelong learning are open to individuals of all ages and were accessible to the public during the 2023–24 academic year.

4.3.2 Public events (lifelong learning)

Does your university as a body host events at university that are open to the general public: public lectures, community educational events?

Lakehead University actively engages with the community by hosting a variety of events that are open to the general public while faculty, staff and students also participate in educational outreach activities in local schools and the broader community..  

In-person and online events are listed on, the Lakehead University Events Calendar. .  This includes public lecture series and community educational sessions that are designed to be accessible to the general public.  

Annually, Lakehead University hosts Research and Innovation Week to showcase the significant research and innovation impact of Lakehead’s researchers and students to the community in each of the regions we serve.  These week-long events feature research presentations, poster sessions, exhibitions and demonstrations, workshops, public lectures and keynote speakers, student research competitions and community engagement in Thunder Bay and Orillia.

The Lakehead Living Lab Network hosted the 2023 Climate Action Field School (CAFS), a four-day, collaborative learning opportunity for high school students in grade 12 who were keen to learn more about climate change, climate action, and positive social change. The program was rooted in the head, heart, hands model of transformative education and consisted of diverse interactive workshops, discussions with community partners, and experiential learning opportunities. It took place in June 2023 and also served as a youth engagement dimension of the Lakehead University C2U Expo.  

The Office of Sustainability also hosts educational sessions for the general public, such as "Electrify Your Future: How to Install a Heat Pump in Thunder Bay”

In addition to annual events, Lakehead University also hosts specialized lecture series such as the Harold G. Fox Distinguished Lecture Series, and the Global Indigenous Speakers Series, which highlights the theory, research, and practice of international Indigenous scholars and is offered virtually, making it easily accessible to both the university community, the general public and global audiences. 

All listed events occurred throughout the 2023–24 academic year and were open to the public, with opportunities to participate either in person or virtually. 

4.3.3 Vocational training events (lifelong learning)

Does your university as a body host events at university that are open to the general public: executive education programmes (this refers to short courses for people who are not attending the university; this specifically excludes courses like MBA) and/or vocational training?

Lakehead University offers diverse programs, courses and workshops on a variety of topics to meet community needs on an ad-hoc and programmed basis through training and event opportunities that are open to the general public. 

Initiatives led by the Office of Community Engaged Lifelong Learning (CELL) and Third Age Learning Lakehead (TALL) offer a variety of programs, courses and workshops in a variety of areas to meet the needs of Lakehead’s surrounding communities.  This includes ad-hoc lecture series that are offered throughout the year on various topics to provide intellectually stimulating and creative educational experiences for the public.  Programs offered in 2023-24 included an Executive Leadership Program delivered by Lakehead University in collaboration with Georgian College.

Lakehead University also offers Professional Development in Education to Ontario certified teachers and other educators, including the Principal’s Qualification Program and Supervisory Officer’s Qualification Program, along with a number of certificates that are available to the public.

Lakehead University’s Community Zone is a centralized hub offering paid and free innovative and accessible learning opportunities to the general public. Events include lifelong learning, professional development and training through certificates, lectures, workshops, short courses, and programs (microcredentials) developed to support local industry and labour market needs. 

For example, the Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (OPTIS) / Northern Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (NOPTIS) micro-credential was designed in partnership with the top industry leaders in Ontario tourism for upskilling existing employees within their current job, in addition to supporting the tourism sector to scale up in post-COVID recovery. 

Lakehead’s Community Zone events include community lectures, panels, and educational initiatives in collaboration with local organizations.

4.3.4 Education outreach activities beyond campus

Does your university as a body undertake educational outreach activities (e.g. tailored lectures or demonstrations) beyond campus, e.g. in local schools, in the community, including voluntary student-run schemes?

Lakehead University is deeply engaged in educational outreach activities that extend beyond our campuses through accessible, inclusive, and engaging programming in the communities we serve. These ad-hoc and programmed initiatives are coordinated through collaboration among faculties, departments, student-led organizations and researchers.

The Office of Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL) offers a variety of programs, courses and workshops in a variety of areas to meet the needs of Lakehead’s surrounding communities. We are excited to offer interesting programs for all ages, as well as professional development opportunities.

Humanities 101 is a community-based outreach program which ensures that community members who have a love of learning have access to a university-level educational experience despite financial or social barriers. 

The Let's Talk Science program connects educators and young learners to deliver a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics experiences at no cost.  Let’s Talk Science actively cultivates curiosity and engagement in STEM subjects within local schools and throughout the broader community.

Superior Science is a student-run, non-profit program that sparks children's interests in science, engineering and technology through fun, hands-on activities. Based at Lakehead University, Superior Science's philosophy lies in learning through hands-on and interactive experiences. Since 1999, this program has continued its goal of promoting awareness of science by offering a variety of outreach programs throughout Northwestern Ontario. 

Lakehead University’s Niijii Indigenous Mentorship Program delivers educational programming and a hands-on experience to thousands of Indigenous youth throughout Northwestern Ontario. The program frequently visits regional school classrooms to conduct a variety of activities, experiments, and motivational challenges. Niijii matches experienced university students (at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels) with Indigenous high school students from all across the Thunder Bay region to create a positive connection that both inspires and assists the high school student in thinking about post-secondary through learning about science and culture-based activities.  

Student-led organizations such as the Neuroscience Research Interest Group (NeuRIG) are created to promote neuroscience as a specialized undergraduate and graduate degree to the community through outreach activities such as high school knowledge sessions and Research & Innovation Day. The group also provides a forum for active interaction and professional development among students and researchers across disciplines and institutions, through collaborative research projects, research meetings and discussions.

These activities reflect the university’s ongoing commitment during the 2023–24 academic year to educational outreach and community engagement beyond our campuses.

4.3.5 Lifelong learning access policy

Does your university as a body have a policy that ensures that access to these activities is accessible to all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability immigration status or gender? 

Lakehead University has implemented policies to ensure that access to all university activities is inclusive and free from discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status, gender or any protected characteristics.  These policies are in alignment with federal and provincial legislation including the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, reflecting the university’s commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive environment.

All Lakehead University members and visitors have the fundamental right to engage in studying, working and living in an environment that is free from discrimination and violence.  These principles are upheld through the university’s Human Rights Policy, which serves as a cornerstone to foster diversity and the protection of the rights and dignity of all individuals. This policy was last reviewed in November 2022, and guarantees that students, staff, faculty, and visitors have the right to participate in academic and community programming in a safe, inclusive, and discrimination-free environment.

The University policy on Human Rights rejects all forms of “discrimination” (any distinction based on personal characteristics that results in unequal treatment, including harassment and sexual harassment)  and works to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion by:

  • Upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals without discrimination

  • Committing to equity, diversity, and inclusion across University activities

  • Recognizing and opposing all forms of discrimination (e.g., racism, ableism, homophobia)

  • Promoting a safe and respectful environment for all students, staff, faculty, and volunteers

  • Ensuring access to remedies for individuals who experience discrimination

  • Emphasizing prevention, education, and restoration over punishment

The Office of Human Rights and Equity provides support to staff, faculty and students, offering resources and assistance concerning discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and human rights.  It operates in a secure and confidential environment, ensuring that all concerns are addressed with the utmost care and sensitivity.  Lakehead University remains steadfast in upholding the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and creating a welcoming and accessible experience for all.  

As part of Lakehead’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, the university will continue to:

  • Recruit and retain a diverse student body and workforce through equitable hiring, admissions, and retention practices.

  • Support and accommodate our people through EDI services by ensuring accessibility, creating safe environments, and improving accommodations.

  • Innovate and lead on EDI knowledge creation and education by supporting Indigenous and equity-focused research and embedding diverse perspectives in teaching.

  • Communicate our EDI work and values by raising awareness, promoting engagement, and transparently monitoring and reporting progress.

  • Encourage EDI within the University governance system by embedding EDI principles into policies, structures, and decision-making bodies.