About - IDGI-BC

The IDGI-BC

Founded in 2013 as the PDGIA and recently formalized as IDGI-BC, the Independent Degree Granting Institutions of BC represents both for-profit and non-profit degree-granting institutions in British Columbia that have received consent from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.

IDGI-BC serves as a collaborative forum where members discuss issues of common interest while emphasizing advocacy with government bodies, scholarly activity promotion, member quality assurance, and resource sharing. The society facilitates regular engagement with provincial and federal entities including the Ministry of Advanced Education Skills and Training, the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer, and the BC Council on International Education to provide valuable input and feedback concerning the sector.

As part of our commitment to advancing academic excellence, IDGI-BC is establishing a peer-reviewed academic journal to showcase scholarly work from our member institutions.

The IDGI:

Represents the interests of members to government and other organizations

Advocates for the common interests of member institutions

Informs members of changes in government regulations and other relevant news

Provides agency for independent post-secondary institutions on relevant committees

Facilitates opportunities for members to exchange information and collaborate

Engages in research and compiles information on matters of common interest

Develops policy statements where applicable

Liaises with secondary schools to inform students about educational opportunities

Promotes scholarly activity through our new academic journal (journal.idgibc.ca)

Develops resources and best practices for post-secondary administration

Investigates strategic cooperative initiatives

Strategic Initiatives

Our commitment to strengthening the independent degree-granting sector includes:

Commissioning an Economic Impact Study to document our sector's contribution to the BC economy

Developing and sharing resources

Exploring collaborative opportunities in student housing, mental health services, career fairs, and other student services

Establishing quality assurance frameworks that maintain high standards across member institutions

Hosting conferences that bring together leaders in independent higher education

Leadership

IDGI-BC is chaired by Dr. Greg Gerber of New York Tech Vancouver, who is credited with maintaining the momentum to form the Society and working tirelessly with stakeholders and our legal team to bring the organization to fruition. Dr. Gerber succeeds Dr. Irene Young, the former chair of the PDGIA. The society is vice-chaired by Dr. Neil Mort of Acsenda School of Management, who continues in the role he held with the PDGIA.

The organization is seeking an Executive Director who will advocate on behalf of members with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, the Degree Quality Assessment Board, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Global Affairs, and representatives from various educational sectors.

Our Board

Events

IDGI-BC hosts annual conferences that bring together academic leaders, government officials, and industry partners to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in independent higher education. These events feature presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen our community and advance our collective goals.

Current Member Institutions

Join Us

By joining IDGI-BC, members strengthen our collective advocacy efforts, leverage shared resources, and foster a supportive community of independent degree-granting institutions. Together, we are better positioned to shape policies, navigate challenges, and seize opportunities for growth and innovation in the higher education landscape.

Our membership model is designed to be equitable, with fees proportional to institutional size, ensuring that institutions of all sizes can participate and benefit from our collective efforts.