HPQC College

I had a great experience attending several of the 2021 virtual lectures hosted by the HPQC College. I honestly expected a great deal of the material to go over my head, as the speakers are all leading experts, academics, and/or researchers in their respective fields. To my surprise, I was able to follow along quite well. The speakers were not just subject matter experts but true educators and communicators. They were aware of their audience, and dedicated their time to preparing slides, graphics, and answering questions kindly and thoroughly. Overall, the talks were a unique mix of practical career/school tips, special interest lecture, and autobiography. I hadn't quite seen anything like this offered before by the city, by the library, or at schools. It was reassuring to see that world-class thought experts were people with hopes, fears, dreams, and worries of navigating the world, just like ordinary folks. The speakers' passionate for sharing knowledge got me thinking about how I might approach my own passions and interests. They are worth checking out for anyone who has a bit of time and curiosity, even if you're unfamiliar with the subject area of the lecturer.

As an educator, I find HPQC College's innovative approach to education to be a great example of how K-12 education could be restructured and reimagined. Their open lectures are great ways of connecting students with industry leaders, allowing students to gain a breadth of perspectives on how to shape their future pathways. The opportunities that students may access supplements the shortcomings of the Ontario curricula as well. I am confident that students who attend HPQC will have the tools and skills to explore and pursue their passions.