sap canada and ubc learning exchange 2005-2010
DESCRIPTION
Stewardship ReportTRANSCRIPT
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1
The UBC Learning Exchange thanks SAP Canada and
its employees for their exceptional support of the
Reading Week Community Service Projects.
Page 2 • SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010
The UBC Learning Exchange
The UBC Learning Exchange is an expression of the University of British Columbia’s strong com-
mitment to community engagement. Based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the Learning
Exchange consists of two major program areas. First, the Learning Exchange offers margin-
alized residents resources designed to inspire them to become life-long learners and active
citizens and second, the Learning Exchange connects UBC students with inner city schools and
non-profi t organizations where they contribute to community programs while learning about
important social issues, developing their interpersonal skills, and gaining clarity about their
own educational and career goals.
Since 1999, the Learning Exchange has been working closely with the Vancouver Board of Edu-
cation, because we both strongly believe that having UBC students mentor inner city children
and youth is a powerful way to prevent them from “falling through the cracks”. UBC students
support elementary and secondary students in a variety of subject areas, including math, read-
ing, and science. They also lead a wide range of after-school programs and special projects.
“You are going to have a tremendous opportunity to connect with the kids in a way that
will have an impact on their sense of self-confi dence and well-being and self-esteem,
and will really, truly make a difference in their learning. You’ll also have an opportunity
to serve as powerful role models, and . . . you are going to learn and grow from your ex-
periences.” ~ Lynn Green, Associate Superintendent for the Vancouver Board of Education
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1SASAASAASASASSSASASSSAAAAAASASSSSSAAASASSASASASSSSASASASASSSASASSSASASASSASASASASSASASAAAASSASSSASSAAAAAAASASASASSAAAAAASASSASAAAAAAAAAAASASASSAAAAAAASASASAAAASAAAAASASAASASASASASSSASSSSSAASAAASASSAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP PPPPPP PPP CaCCaCCCCCCCaCCaCCCCCaCCCaaCCCaCaCaCaCaCaCCaCCCCCCCCCCCCaaCCaCaCCaCaCCaCaCaCaCaaaCaCaCCCCaCaaaaaaCaCCaCaCaCaCaaaaaaCaCaCaaaaaaaaCaCaCaaaCaCaaaaCaCaCCaCaCaCCCCCaCannananananananananaaaanananaaaannnannanaaaaannnanaanaaannnananaannaaanaaaannannaaaaannnanaaannnannnnanaanannannnanannaanannanannnnanaaaaanannannnannanaaaaaannnnanaaaanannanannnannaaanannnaaannannaanaanaanaddddddddadaddddaddddddddddddadddddaddadddddddddadddddddddddddadddddddddaadddddddddddddaadddddddaddddddddaddddddddddddadadddadadddadaadaddadaadadaaaadaaa aaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaa aaaaaa aa aaannnnndndndnddndndnddndddddnddddndddddnndndndndddnnndddndddddddddnnndndnddddddddnddddddddddddnndndnddddddddddddnddddddddddddddddnddddddddddddddddddnnnddddddddnnddddddddddddddnnnnnndddddddddddddddnndddndndddnnddddddnnddnnndddnnnnnnnddddnnnnnddddnnnnddddnnnddddnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnddddnnnnnnnnnnnnnndddddndnnnnnnnnnnnndddddddddddd tttt tttttt tthhhhheehehehhhhehehhhheeeeheeehheeeeheeeheeheeeeeeheeeeeeehee UUUUU U UUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBBCBCBCBCBCCCCBCCBBCCBCBCBCCBCC LLLLLLLLL LLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLeeeeeeeaaeaeaaeaeaaeaeaaeaeaeaeaeaeaaeaeaaaaeaeaeaaaaeaeaeaaaaaaaaeaaaaeeaaeaeaaaeeeaeaeaaaaaaaeeaaeaeeaeaaaaeeaaaaaeaaaeaeaaaaaeeeeaeeaaaeeeeeaeeeaaaeeeeaaaaarnrrnrrnrnrnrnnnnnrnrrnrnrnnnnnrrnrnrrnrnnnnnrrnrnrnnnnnnnnnrrnnnnnrrrnnnnnnnrrnnnnnnnnrrnnnrrnnnnnrrnrnnnnnrrnnnnnnnnnrnnrnrrnnnnrrnnnrnnnnnnnnnnnnrnnniiiiiinininniiiiiiiiiiningg g ggg EExExExExExExEExExxxExxxxxxExxxcchhhchchchchchccchchhchchchchchchchhchhhchchcchcchhhcchccccccchananananaaannanannanananaanaanaaaangegegegggeeegegeggegeggeeggegg 22 22222222222222 22222222222200000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000555555555-5-5-5-5-5-55-555-5-5-55555555555555-5-5555555555555-5-55-555555555-5-5-55--55555555555-5-5--55555555555555555555555555555555555555555-555555555555-5-55555-5--55555--5--555555555-55555555-55555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 20220202020202000000000200000200000002200000000022202000220000000222020202020000000000202200000000020222020000000002202022220200000000000020000000000000202000000000000000000002000020200020202002022020200000000020000002000000000002200000000000000000002000000000000220000000222220000000000022220000000000000002220000000000000000000101010101010010001010101010101010101010100000010010101010100100101100110001101101010001110010100010010101111011010101111111110100 ••••••••••••••• •••• ••• • •• •••••••••••••• P P PP PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP PPP PPPPPPPPPPPPP PPPPPPP PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagaggggggagagagagagaaagagagaaagaagaagagaagagaggaagggaaggaagagaggaagaagagaaagagagaaggaggaggagagaggaaggagggggggge eeee eeeeee eeee eeeeee ee eeeee eeeeee eeeeee e eeee eee 111111111111111111111
Page 4 • SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010
What are Reading Week Community Service Projects?
One of the most important and powerful ways that UBC students engage with inner-city children
is through our Reading Week (spring break) community service projects. The Reading Week pro-
gram immerses UBC students in three-day projects in which they work side-by-side with elemen-
tary school children. The projects meet the priorities of local inner city schools, while connecting
children with enthusiastic mentors. For the UBC students who want their university learning to be
applied to real-life issues beyond the classroom, it’s energizing and eye-opening to collaborate
with the children on activities such as a literacy fair, a hands-on science project, or the creation of
a community garden.
SAP Canada, formerly Business Objects, began providing fi nancial support for the Learning Ex-
change’s Reading Week program in 2005. At that time, there were 150 UBC students participating
in the program. With SAP’s strong and consistent support, this has grown signifi cantly. And now,
the program involves about 300 UBC students and 1200 children every year.
“The mentoring of positive role models has had a great impact on my students’
outlook. They see successful university students, who are just as enthusiastic and
dedicated to their project as they are. Many of my students thrive on these interac-
tions and some of them even begin to see themselves as future university students.”
~Justin Borsato, Teacher, Britannia Elementary
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1
“This is what has been
missing from my
education!”
~UBC student, Reading Week 2009
Page 6 • SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010
SAP Canada Employee Involvement
“I’m proud to be part of an organization that motivates its staff through opportunities of leadership in the commu-
nity. This program was not a handout to underprivileged kids; it was an opportunity for Business Objects’ future
leaders to see how we can impact individuals and communities with our knowledge, language, and attitude. The
experiences that I gained through the program are directly applicable to my career. Business Objects has always
been is in the business of changing companies through information but is also demonstrated to me that we can
change communities through our people. Thank you BOBJ.”~Farshad Bayati, SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008
Since 2008, SAP employees have been participating in a unique leadership training program
through the Learning Exchange. Combining talent development and corporate social responsibil-
ity, participants in the Community Leadership Program take part in leadership workshops and then
practice what they have learned by leading a team of UBC students in a project at an inner-city
school.
The program has been a win-win for all involved. SAP employees refi ne their leadership skills, while
learning about important social issues and contributing to Vancouver schools. And the Learning
Exchange gets enthusiastic project leaders, who bring a diverse experiences and perspectives that
enrich the projects.
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1
“One feedback I had, directly quoted from a student was: ‘You are a great leader. You really listen to us.’ It serves as an encouragement and a confi rmation to my belief in leadership: that as a leader, I am really a comrade who is watching the back of whoever there is in my team, to make sure they can face the challenges ahead and offer assistance whenever asked.”
~SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008
Page 8 • SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010
Feedback from SAP Canada Employees
“Leading a team that was focused on working within an inner city school, with
children that came from underprivileged environments provided an opportu-
nity for true refl ection on the importance of investing in the lives of others. At
the base of any leadership role there is the inherent responsibility to invest in
the success of others. Participation in a program such as this gives the op-
portunity to provide meaningful input into the lives of others, and as a result,
is great practice for leadership both in the community and in the workplace.”
~Keith Metcalfe, SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008
“Through my participation in the Emerging Leaders opportunity I gained more insight to what I respect, respond to
and appreciate within a leader. The program made me really examine my perspective on leadership in contrast to
the archetypal stereo-types we all have at a superfi cial level. By analyzing and recognizing are own strengths and
discussing the concepts of relational leadership and emotional intelligence, I was able to defi ne the type of leader I
want to be and how my existing strengths champion that leadership within me.”
~Wode Corchesne, SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1
“Some of the projects were so well done and the kids who
were really into their topic, really got into it! My favorite
–project was the Pythagorean Theorem. I was expecting
it to be quite diffi cult because one child was deaf and the
other was a bit hyperactive with a learning disability and a
low level in math and reading. In the end, they had one of
the best exhibits and presentations. They were calculat-
ing square roots, explaining the Pythagorean theorem to
passerby’s and even remembered the word “hypotenuse!”
They had so much energy and were so excited that they
were doing this higher level math.”
~SAP Canada Employee, Reading Week 2008
Page 10 • SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010
Reading Week Community Service Projects Now
This year, UBC’s two-week long Olympic reading break allowed the Learning Exchange to engage
500 UBC students with 2000 school children – the largest number of university students ever.
Many of the projects had Olympic themes. For example, SAP employee James Phu led Britannia
Elementary’s “Math Behind the Olympics” project. Through this project a group of very keen UBC
students teamed up with grade 7 students to understand some diffi cult math concepts. For exam-
ple, the students learned about speed, distance, and velocity by racing down the gym in bobsleds
made with help from their UBC mentors.
The project’s UBC student leader, Marley Macvey, is a math major and was excited to be doing a
project in her fi eld of study. “When I think of learning math as a kid, it could be daunting. What
made the difference for me was when I was told to think of all the equations and formulas as tools
in a toolbox that’s essential for everyday life.” Marley hoped that her own passion for math would
inspire the kids.
“At Britannia we have seen a dramatic increase in student work habits, fo-
cus, and attendance during Reading Week projects with the UBC Learning Ex-
change. Being part of this project has become a critical part of what it means to
be in Grade 7 at Britannia and successive grades look forward to it each year.”
~Greg Barnes, Principal, Britannia Elementary
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1
Page 12 • SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010
Many UBC students and project leaders hope to inspire school children through their participa-
tion in the Reading Week projects. However, they are often surprised to fi nd themselves equally
inspired by the kids. SAP employee, Ally Peerbocus, the leader of the “Math and Science Fiesta” at
Macdonald Elementary, experienced this.
His project paired up UBC students with students in grades 4, 5, and 6 to create projects for a
science fair that took place on the fi nal day of the project. Using mathematics to help understand
the data they collected, the students’ projects ranged dramatically from experimenting with food
colouring in order to learn about the capillary action in plants to testing the effectiveness of house-
hold substances in cleaning pennies to determining how best to get a volcano to explode.
While inspired by the students’ creativity, enthusiasm, and hard work, Ally reported that his great-
est source of inspiration came early on the morning of the second day, well before anybody was
working on their projects. Ally and his student leaders were preparing for the day when they no-
ticed a child’s drawing on the classroom fl oor. They assumed it had fallen from a nearby bulletin
board until a similar drawing mysteriously appeared on the fl oor the next morning. Clearly slipped
under the door by a student, this one had a message written in orange felt pen stating, “Thank you
for helping me.”
“The kids inspired me so much, I think it was a great way for students and kids alike
to have tons of fun and learn valuable skills.”
~UBC Student, Reading Week 2010
Reading Week Community Service Projects Inspire!
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1
Page 14 • SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010
“I learned not to have stereotypes about schools and the
children in them. It taught me the importance of how
community can bring together people and help the chil-
dren grow.” ~UBC Student, Reading Week 2006
“It was an amazing opportunity to learn from kids and I feel proud and great about
the things I’ve done for the past three days. I’d like to get involved in this project if I
have a chance in the next year.”
~UBC Student, Reading Week 2010
UBC Student Refl ections
“I thoroughly enjoyed this experience – it really pushed
my boundaries and I appreciated the challenge.”
~UBC Student, Reading Week 2007
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1SASASASSASASAASASAAASASASASAASASASASSASSAAASASASSAASASASSSAAASASASASSSASSAASASAAAASSASSSASAASSSASASASSASASASASASASSAAAAASASASASSSSSASAAAASASASAAAAASASAASAAASASAAAASAASASASASSAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP PPPPPP PPPPPPPPPPPPPP P PPPPPP CaCaCaCaCaaaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaaCaCaCaCaCCaaaCaCaCaaaCaCaCCCaaaCaCaaaCaCaCCaaaCaCaaaCaCaCaCaCCCCaCaCCaCaCCCaCaCCCCCCCCaaCCCCCaaaanananananannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn dadadddad a aaaaaandndndndndnddddnddd t ttt tt ttttttttttttthehehehheheehehhhehehhehe UUUU UUUUUUUUBCBCBCBCCCCCCCCBCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCBBCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCBCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCBCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCBCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCBCCCCCCCCCC LLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLL LL L LLL Leaeeeaeaeaeaeaaaaeaeaeeeaeaeeaeaeaeeaeaeaeeeaeaeaeeaeaaeeeeaaeeaeee rrrrrnnnnnnnrnrnnnrrrrrnrrnrnnrnrrrrnnnnnrrnrnnrrrnnnnnnrrrrnnrnrnnrnrniiininiininnininiinnniniiinnniiinininininnininnninininnnniininininnniinninninnininninnininnnggggggggggggggggggggggggggg ggggggggggg gggg gggggggggggggg ggg ggggg ggggggggggggggggggggg ExExExExxExExExExEExExExxExExExEExExEEExEE chchchchchchchchhcchchhccchaaananannnnnaanannnnnnnnnnaannnnnannnnnnnnnaannnaanaananngeggegegegegegegegegegegeegeeeeeggeggegegegegegegegegeeeegegegeggeeggggegggeegggggggegggegggggggegggeggegegegegeeggggegegggeeggegggggeegegegegegeeggggggggggggegeeeegggggegggegeeeegggggeeeggggegeeeggegggeggggeggggg 222222222222222222222 2 222222 2222 22 2 22 2220000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000005-5-5-5-5-5-5-555-5-555-5-5-5-5555-55-5-5-55-5-5-5-55-555-5-5-55-555-55555-5--555-5--55-5-5-55-5555555555555555555555555555555 20202202020000020002000002020000000000002020020000202002000000202000000000002000000000200022020002220002220002222220200000000222022000000200000220200000202002222222200000222222220000000002222222220000000002200111010101011011010010101011001110 •• •••••••• PPPPPPPPPPPPPPP P P PPPPPPPagggagagagagagagagagagaaagagagagggggggggggeeee ee eee 1111111
Page 16 • SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010
The Learning Exchange and SAP have had a mutually benefi -
cial relationship for the past several years and have worked
together for the benefi t of many SAP employees, hundreds
of UBC students, and thousands of inner-city school chil-
dren. Thank you for your outstanding support and partner-
ship. We look forward to continuing to achieve great things
together in the coming years.
“The Learning Exchange’s partnership with SAP is an inspiring example of how busi-
ness, university, and community can work together in innovative and truly mutually
benefi cial ways.”
~ Margo Fryer, Director, UBC Learning Exchange
Thank you SAP Canada
SAP Canada and the UBC Learning Exchange 2005-2010 • Page 1
UBC Learning Exchange
612 Main St
Vancouver, BC V6A 2V3
Ph. 604.408.5164
www.learningexchange.ubc.ca