Community in the classroom. Classrooms in the community.

Community engagement is an integral ingredient in SFU's approach to education. With growing cohort-based programs, long-standing co-op and Work-Integrated Learning partnerships, and a growing appetite to recognize that learning about the "real world" should happen in the real world, SFU is recognizing that education can't be separate from the issues and challenges that students like you want to tackle – it must be immersed in it, purposefully and in a principled way.

By championing the SFU Strategic Community Engagement Plan and supporting SFU's participation in the Canadian Pilot Cohort of the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, our office works to promote the deep integration of the principles of community engagement into SFU's educational programs. But we also offer direct funding for students wishing to explore community partnerships as a way of innovating and doing meaningful, impactful work in the community. 

How you can get involved right now:

Weigh in on SFU's Strategic Community Engagement Plan.

SFU's Strategic Community Engagement Plan offers a framework of values and principles for building partnerships to enhance teaching, research and creative activity in ways that strengthen our ability to address critical societal issues and contribute to the public good.

  1. Download and read the Plan, then get ready to tell us, your instructors, your peers and the world about the ways community engagement affects your student experience and your hopes and dreams for the future. 
  2. Subscribe to our Office newsletter to be notified about when consultations will begin and how you can take part.

I'm in — sign me up so I can participate!

You can also send feedback on the Plan to us directly, anytime, by emailing: community@sfu.ca

Download the Plan

Got an idea to create meaningful change in your community now? Register for your chance to win funding to make it happen!

The 2019-20 Student Community Engagement Competition has $30,000 available to fund student-led community partnerships that lead to meaningful impact for communities. All you need is an idea...

Take your first step — register today!

You can also...

  • Eco Endeavours (2017)

    Eco Endeavours (2017)

    An after-school sustainability education and mentorship program for grades 6-7. learn more →

  • Compose the Space (2016)

    Compose the Space (2016)

    An outdoor collaborative music installation at Surrey City Centre Plaza. learn more →

  • Gro-Cart (2015)

    Gro-Cart (2015)

    The Gro-Cart project seeks to empower members of the Surrey community by enabling them to grow food themselves. With the use of repaired grocery carts, mobile gardens will be created to be used and shared by those with limited garden space. learn more →

  • S.C.O.R.E. (2014)

    S.C.O.R.E. (2014)

    Surrey Collaborative Outreach and Research Experience (SCORE) aims to develop the human capital of the Central City community to enable local talent to take advantage of the opportunities being created by the revitalization of the City Centre. learn more →

  • Media Minds (2014)

    Media Minds (2014)

    Through a series of 7-week workshops, our participants learn tangible media skills such as storyboarding, filming, and editing. Working with peers and "Media Mentors", immigrant youth overcome language barriers to take on projects like creating a documentary about their transition from life in their home country to life in Canada. learn more →

Have a direct impact in Surrey by working with the SFU Surrey – TD Community Engagement Centre

The SFU CEC's mission is to facilitate and support the mobilization of university and community capacity to identify and address key societal issues affecting Surrey’s City Centre and closely surrounding neighbourhoods.

Learn more about the SFU CEC →
Explore and apply for opportunities now →