Search Website
SDG 4 Reports
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Research
Undergraduate Student Research Internship Expansion
Western’s 2025–26 budget included an additional $2 million to expand the Undergraduate Student Research Internship program, which provides full-time, paid summer research positions for undergraduate students working with Western faculty members. This investment strengthens research-based learning by giving more students access to hands-on academic inquiry, mentorship, and early research experience. It also supports Western’s broader goal of preparing students to become future researchers and problem-solvers through meaningful participation in faculty-led research.
Federal Funding Fuels Discovery
In 2025, Western researchers received more than $31.6 million in federal research funding from Canada’s major granting agencies, supporting more than 150 research projects across disciplines. Alongside faculty-led research, the funding included support for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholars and Banting Postdoctoral Fellows, strengthening research training pathways for emerging scholars. This investment contributes to a strong learning environment where graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty collaborate on research that advances knowledge and supports academic development.
Explore more SDG 4 related research
Teaching
Experiential Learning for All Undergraduates
Western is expanding experiential learning with the goal that every undergraduate student will complete at least one experiential learning opportunity by 2028. The initiative focuses on five signature areas: education abroad, entrepreneurship, project-based learning, research, and work-integrated learning. By connecting classroom knowledge with workplace experience, community projects, research opportunities, and global learning, Western strengthens practical skill development and prepares students to apply their education beyond the classroom.
Generative AI Teaching Fellows Program
Western launched its first Generative AI Teaching Fellows program in 2025 through the Centre for Teaching and Learning. The program supports faculty members developing innovative artificial intelligence projects for teaching and learning, including AI-based simulations, open-access teaching modules, and adaptive learning tools. By helping instructors integrate AI thoughtfully and ethically into the classroom, the initiative advances digital pedagogy and prepares students for a rapidly changing learning and work environment.
Black Studies Major
Western launched a new Black Studies major in 2025, expanding the program from a minor into a full undergraduate major with more than 50 courses across multiple faculties and departments. The program includes a mandatory first-year Introduction to Black Studies course and allows students to explore Black histories, cultures, geographies, achievements, and contemporary experiences through an interdisciplinary curriculum. This strengthens inclusive education by broadening representation in academic programming and creating more pathways for students to engage with equity-focused learning.
Community-Based TESOL Learning
Western’s Faculty of Education created a community-engaged learning project for students in the Master of Professional Education, TESOL program. Students worked with local ESL instructors at the Thames Valley District School Board’s G.A. Wheable Centre for Adult Education to design practical language-learning activities for newcomers, including conversation games, online quizzes, and interactive classroom resources. The project gave future ESL teachers hands-on teaching experience while supporting language learning and newcomer inclusion in the London community.
Explore more SDG 4 related courses
Outreach
Ivey Community Engagement Club Youth Outreach
The Ivey Community Engagement Club introduced London high school students to business education through year-round outreach, case-method learning and campus engagement. In 2025, the club integrated sessions into classroom time and hosted Discovery Day at Ivey, where students visited campus, learned about business pathways, networking, financial literacy and scholarship opportunities. The initiative helps reduce informational barriers for local youth who may have limited access to professional networks and post-secondary guidance.
Discovery Western Summer Camp
Discovery Western Summer Camp provides children and youth with hands-on STEM learning through Western Engineering Outreach. The camp is designed around the belief that science, technology, engineering and math are for everyone, combining science and engineering activities with games, crafts, movement and campus experiences. Campers from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6 explore STEM through accessible activities using both specialized tools and everyday materials, while the Western Engineering Summer Academy offers students in Grades 7 to 12 opportunities to explore engineering and learn more about the post-secondary experience.
Operations
Student Learning Groups
Western’s Student Learning Groups program provides structured peer-led academic support for first-year students. In 2025, trained upper-year learning coaches in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies designed and delivered weekly study sessions over the winter term to help students strengthen academic skills, build confidence and feel a stronger sense of belonging. The program supports quality education by embedding academic transition support directly into the student experience.
Western Libraries and Open Access
With more than 12 million items—both in print and online—Western Libraries houses one of the largest collections in North America. Visitors can also apply for a Guest Borrower card if they wish to borrow eligible items. By opening these collections to the broader community, Western supports public access to knowledge, research materials and cultural resources.
Learning Develop & Success
Western’s Learning Development & Success team provides academic support services that help students strengthen learning skills, manage academic stress, and build confidence in post-secondary learning. The service supports students who are facing academic difficulties, as well as those who want to maintain strong performance. Support is offered through appointments, presentations and workshops, mindfulness and learning resources, peer-assisted learning, self-help tools, and graduate student supports. As an operational resource, it improves education quality by embedding learning strategy support into Western’s student experience.
Writing Support Centre
Western’s Writing Support Centre provides free academic and professional writing support for students across all disciplines and levels of study. Students can access 50-minute one-to-one appointments, online writing assistance, writing seminars, online modules, presentation help, and writing support at Weldon Library. By helping students strengthen communication, research writing, and academic confidence, the centre improves education quality through ongoing learning support embedded in Western’s student services.
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Research
Undergraduate Student Research Internship Expansion
Western’s 2025–26 budget included an additional $2 million to expand the Undergraduate Student Research Internship program, which provides full-time, paid summer research positions for undergraduate students working with Western faculty members. This investment strengthens research-based learning by giving more students access to hands-on academic inquiry, mentorship, and early research experience. It also supports Western’s broader goal of preparing students to become future researchers and problem-solvers through meaningful participation in faculty-led research.
Federal Funding Fuels Discovery
In 2025, Western researchers received more than $31.6 million in federal research funding from Canada’s major granting agencies, supporting more than 150 research projects across disciplines. Alongside faculty-led research, the funding included support for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholars and Banting Postdoctoral Fellows, strengthening research training pathways for emerging scholars. This investment contributes to a strong learning environment where graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty collaborate on research that advances knowledge and supports academic development.
Centre for the Science of Learning
Western’s Centre for the Science of Learning promotes interdisciplinary research and collaboration to better understand how children learn. Bringing together experts in education, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience, the Centre connects researchers with K–12 educators and policy-makers to translate scientific findings into practical classroom solutions. With links to the Centre for School Mental Health and the Mary J. Wright Child and Youth Development Clinic, the Centre supports early childhood development, learning interventions, and evidence-based professional development for educators.
Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education
Western University collaborates with the Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education. This partnership focuses on improving educational practices and outcomes for all students, particularly the most vulnerable. The research covers inclusive education, policy, programming, training and implementation. It brings together researchers, educators, parents and advocates in support of the education of students with a disability, or other underrepresented learning groups.
Teaching
Continuing Medical Education
Western’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) program supports healthcare professionals across Southwestern Ontario and beyond through accessible, high-quality learning opportunities. Offering small-group workshops and flexible online modules, the program enhances clinical skills, promotes lifelong learning, and ensures practitioners stay up to date with evolving medical knowledge and practices.
University Consortium Year 1 Program
Western Continuing Studies
Western Continuing Studies provides opportunities for everyone to keep learning at Western. From recent graduates, job seekers, and corporate clients, there is an array of choices for lifelong learning from a variety of programs, courses, and professional certificates.
Experiential Learning
Western has committed to ensuring that all undergraduate students participate in at least one experiential learning opportunity by 2028. These opportunities include internships, research, entrepreneurship, education abroad, and community-based projects that help students apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Through partnerships with more than 225 local organizations and global institutions, students gain job skills, explore career paths, and contribute to meaningful community impact, preparing them for success beyond graduation.
Outreach
Complimentary Cases for Secondary School Classrooms
Ivey Business School offers a selection of free business cases to secondary school teachers, supporting interactive and practical learning through its renowned Case-Method of Learning. As one of the world’s top publishers of business cases, Ivey provides students with real-world scenarios that build critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in classroom settings.
In-School Workshops
Western Engineering Outreach offers hands-on STEM workshops for elementary and secondary students throughout the school year. Delivered by enthusiastic instructors, these in-school sessions aim to spark curiosity and make science and technology fun and accessible. Aligned with the Ontario curriculum, workshops cover topics such as screen-free coding, circuitry, artificial intelligence, encryption, and assistive technology. Reaching students from kindergarten to Grade 12 across London and surrounding areas, the program helps build foundational STEM skills and inspires future innovators.
Arts & Humanities Day at Western
Arts & Humanities Day engages high school students in interdisciplinary learning through workshops, lectures, and interactive sessions led by faculty and students. Participants explore subjects such as philosophy, literature, languages, and cultural studies in a university setting. The event encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and academic confidence, especially among youth who may not have considered humanities pathways. By making postsecondary education accessible and engaging, it promotes inclusive learning and inspires future scholars. This outreach initiative strengthens connections between secondary and postsecondary education, helping diverse learners envision themselves in university and supporting equitable access to quality education.
Operations
Western Libraries and Open Access
With more than 12 million items—both in print and online—Western Libraries houses one of the largest collections in North America. The general public is welcome to visit Western Libraries and make use of most collections.
Weldon’s New Silent Study Space
Writing Support Centre
The Writing Support Centre is available year-round to assist with university-level writing. It offers free one-to-one appointments, writing seminars, resources, and presentation help with a writing advisor. Services are available in-person at two campus locations or online. The Writing Support Centre supports all members of Western’s community, including undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and faculty. Assistance is provided for any academic or professional writing, at any stage of the writing process, in any genre, across disciplines. Additionally, the Centre offers free online modules publicly accessible to introduce university-level writing.
McIntosh Gallery
Founded in 1942, McIntosh Gallery at Western University is a public art gallery that promotes visual arts education. It engages with artists, academics, and the community through innovative exhibitions and educational programs. Supported by various arts councils and Western University, the gallery provides enriching visual culture experiences, offering free educational opportunities for all.