Conference Agenda 2025

8:00am-8:30am

Morning refreshments

8:30am-8:45am

Territorial acknowledgement and welcome

Welcome: Irene Young and Neil Mort

8:45am-9:45am

Keynote Address

Introduction: Thomas Chase

Speaker: Jessica Riddell

Track 1: Technology and AI

Track 2: Indigenization and Social Justice

Track 3: The International Student Experience and Student Supports

Track 4: Leadership, Governance, and the Role of Independent Institutions

Track 5: Curriculum Development, Teaching, and Learning

Room A

Room B

Room C

Room D

Room E

Session 1
9:50am-10:20am

Naghmeh Babaee and Tazish Fareed (LaSalle):

Jason Walker, Zahra Moradi and Deborah Circo (Adler):

Parinita Malhotra and Harleen Aggarwal (Western Community College):

Melanie Ruffie (Alexander):

Vaishali Sethi (UCW):

Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Education: Ethical Concerns and Recommendations

Examining Workplace Bullying in Higher Education

 Internal Quality Assurance and the Student Experience at Independent Institutions.

Courage, Vulnerability, and Mindfulness in Postsecondary Leadership and Teaching: Strategies for Navigating Change

Exploring Faculty Perspectives on Experiential Learning with Real Clients: Riipen vs. Other Sourcing Approaches

10:20am-10:35am

Morning Coffee Break

Poster Presentations

Session 2
10:20am-10:35am

Vahideh Baradaran, Vaishali Sethi and Maria Jimenez (UCW):

Rafia Faiz (UCW): Legitimacy Under Siege: Performing Belonging in Academic Spaces of Power

Deepika Nayyar (TRU): A Capstone Paper: Accessibility of International Students to Campus Wellness Programs in Canada: A Multicultural Word View.

Eli Sopow and Maria Sushikova (UCW):

Golsa Saadi (Yorkville and LaSalle):

Integrating AI with Constructivist Learning: A framework for Adaptive Learning Environments

Vital Factors of Change in a Time of Dramatic Change

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Continuous Improvement in Teaching through Inclusive and Dynamic Learning Environments

Relevant topic at a time of great change in the sector.

Session 3

10:35am-11:05am

Mariana Cantidio Mota Bezerra de Menezes (LaSalle):

Michelle Huggins (Yorkville):

Evan Daigle (Alexander):

Rob Fahlman (Excel College):

Yunona Gogia and Azadeh Eskandarzadeh (Acsenda):

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Optimizing the Activities of International Students in British Columbia: A Study of Usage, Perceptions, and Implications

Beyond Tokenism: Transformative Indigenization as a Disruption of Colonial Ways of Knowing

A Culture of Academic Integrity

Empowering Educators: Leveraging Pedagogical Leadership

Reimagining Curriculum For Active Learning: Flipping the Classroom

Session 4

11:10am-11:40am

Amit Kohli, Ajay K. Garg, Jyoti Kohli and Gaurika Kalra (UCW):

Enoch Tse, Varaidzo Martha Chokuwenga and Fazia Bi Farik (Adler):

Lucas Paganine and Ryan Kyle (LaSalle):

Penny Farley (UCW):

Jame Bryan Batara (Alexander College):

Best Practices for Teachers in the AI-Enhanced Education Landscape

Integrating Indigenous worldview into public policy research pedagogy

Gamifying Library Orientation: An Escape Room Experience

Steps and Strategies for Advancing Women into Higher Level Leadership

Learning-Focused Social Psychology

12:15pm-12:45pm

Catered lunch

12:45pm-1:45pm

Plenary Panel Session 

Session 5

1:45pm-2:15pm

Mostafa Purmehdi (NYIT):

Sacnicte Valdez del Rio and Babul Thomas Gomes (Acsenda):

Donna Chowdhury (Yorkville):

Ted James and Guangwei Ouyang (Yorkville):

Andy Basi and Sally Ann Burnett (Acsenda):

JIT Education—A Revolution in the Age of AI  Type

The Indigenization Tourism Value Chain and the Prospect of Pro-Poor Tourism – A Case Study Vancouver, British Columbia

Addressing the Crossroads of Support and Inclusion for International Students in BC

Transfers of International Students from BC Private Postsecondary Institutions to Public Universities

Pracademics: Bridging Theory and Practice

Session 6

2:20pm-2:50pm

Yunlong Shai (NYIT):

Marizol Charles Gomez and Babul Thomas Gomes (Acsenda):

Alice Cai (Coquitlam College):

Sana Ramzan (UCW ):

Raheb Zohrehfard  and Gerry Tillman (Alexander College):

Bridging the Cybersecurity Talent Gap: AI-Driven Learning and Industry Collaboration in Private Institutions

Adventure tourism and the impacts of Indigenous livelihoods in Vancouver, British Columbia

The Chinese International Graduate Student Experience of Engagement in Online Learning in Canadian Higher Education

Exploring Trends and Methodologies in Financial Distress Prediction: A Review

Bridging Gaps and Building Agency: A Critical Exploration of EAP’s Evolving Landscape

2:50pm-3:05pm

Afternoon Coffee Break

Poster Presentations

Session 7

3:10pm-3:40pm

Azadeh Eskandarzadeh and Yunona Gogia (Acsenda)

Shahinaz Hanem (Sherry) Abdellatif (UCW)

Rajat Virdi and Akshay Arora (Yorkville):

Joe Munsterman: (Alexander College)

Sriram Ananthan (Yorkville): Empowering Student Confidence and Authentic Learning Through Oral Exams:

Role of AI-Powered Learning Analytics in the Design of Adaptive Curricula within Higher Education

Leveraging AI in Financial Education: Transforming Challenges into Sustainable Opportunities in Investments and Robo-Advisory Platforms using Agile Framework

A Culturally Responsive Catalyst: Elevating Engagement and Career-Readiness through Tailored Programming

Exploring the Feasibility of Implementing a Running Start-Style Program in BC’s Postsecondary System

A Modern Assessment Approach

Session 8

3:45pm-4:15pm

Mojgan Afshari (UCW):

Noosha Mehdian and Sherry Abdellatif (UCW)

Michael Lever, Jarrett Bachman and Hiran Roy (FDU):

Hala Fendi (UCW):

 Sustainable Business Practices: Achieving Profitability While Prioritizing People and Planet in Organizational Management 

Matthew Horrigan (Alexander College):

Integrating AI Tools into Classroom Activities: Exploring ChatGPT's Role in Enhancing Collaboration and Problem-Solving

Sustainable AI Integration in Education: Towards a New Governance Model in the Age of AI Assistants

Encouraging Student Engagement in Extra-Curricular Activities

Critical Thinking In and About the Discovery Interview

4:15pm – 4:45 pm

Closing ceremonies in the main gathering room with awards

5:00pm

“Stirring Connections: A Culinary Kitchen Journey” Reception at LaSalle
Step into the heart of LaSalle College Vancouver's Culinary and Pastry kitchens for an unforgettable evening of flavour, connection, and creativity. As part of the PDGIA conference, we invite you to experience a unique stand-up reception where innovation meets culinary excellence.