VST announces partnership with Sauder School for Executive Leadership
The Vancouver School of Theology is delighted to announce the formation of a unique pilot project with the Sauder School for Executive Leadership at the University of British Columbia. VST students will engage on a course of study to receive a Certificate in Effective Leadership from Sauder which will complement their VST educational experience. Principal Richard Topping says “While theological education is at the heart of the mission of VST, we recognize that excellence in leadership skill is also compulsory. Leaders from the business, accounting, legal and political worlds were instrumental in helping to establish this project. It is designed to enable VST students to learn best practices in management, finance, and administration, alongside future leaders of the business community.”
This is a significant partnership in North America between a theological and a business school. In recognition of this pilot project between VST and Sauder, VST’s accrediting body, the Association of Theological Schools, has awarded VST an Innovation Grant of $47,000 US through their ATS Educational Models and Practice in Theological Education Program. This Innovation Grant will enable students and faculty to participate in this Certificate program for a very modest cost.
There are currently ten students in the VST/Sauder pilot project, and VST anticipates its first graduates with a Certificate in Effective Leadership to convocate in the Spring of 2018. ATS will involve VST in a circle of innovation to share with other schools a broad range of innovative practices in theological education.