UFV set to create new AI, journalism programs

The University of the Fraser Valley has fast-tracked a new artificial intelligence program for its computer science department. It’s also set to introduce a new arts minor for a profession in a very different economic place these days: journalism.

The university’s senate is being asked to sign off today on the creation of three related computer science post baccalaureate diplomas, including one focusing on AI and machine learning. (The others are concentrated on cybersecurity and software engineering economics.) The program’s development has been expedited, with a process that normally takes years starting last March. A proposal says the programs have been specifically designed to meet workplace demand in the fast-growing fields. Those taking the diploma must first have completed an undergraduate degree. You can read the proposal here.

Meanwhile, the university is also moving forward with the creation of a minor in journalism for arts students. That program, which would be administered by UFV’s School of Communication, has been in the works for years. An early proposal for the program stressed that it would focus on field-based freelance journalism, and include skills such as grant-writing. The proposal said the techniques learned in the program could also be used in a variety of other journalism professions. You can read that proposal here.

It’s not clear when the programs would begin. UFV did not respond to an inquiry about program start date by the time of publication.