The Student Association (SA) board voted in favour of sponsoring Congress 2025.
The SA in commitment to student betterment will be sponsoring the event with a monetary amount of $85,000.
Hosted by George Brown College (GBC), this is the first time a college has had the opportunity to take on this event.
The eight-day event runs from May. 30 to June 6, and will take place at GBC’s St. James and Waterfront campuses in downtown Toronto. Congress will bring together nearly 10,000 scholars, apprentices, graduate students, policymakers and members of the community from across Canada.
Congress serves as a catalyst for discourse and collaboration to explore interdisciplinary learning, foster connections to shape a better world for tomorrow. Margrit Talpalaru, academic convenor for Congress 2025, emphasizes the importance of the event.
“What will our students need in order to be successful, not just for today but for the world of tomorrow, I think that is what congress at a college, sets George Brown apart,” she said. “It’s quite an important vision that our college leadership is putting forth, especially in this sort of turbulent times of how we are looking in the future and what our students and what training and what career ready paths for our students will mean in these changing times.”
With the theme of “reframing togetherness” honoring GBC’s commitment to humanities and social sciences research and education, Dr. Gervan Fearon, GBC’s President celebrates the milestone, “as one of Canada’s top research colleges, we understand that the connection between thought and applied learning is essential in shaping the future of learning and discovery.”
Peter Corno, Director of student experience, shares his enthusiasm for SA’s involvement with Congress.
“We are given a huge opportunity to help progress the experience even more … We all go to college to study, to try to improve our career. This carries George Brown College to a higher level to make your degree and career even higher.”
GBC students are also involved in the programming of congress.
“Students are invited to showcase capstone projects where applicable… design students are working on a very unique collateral showcasing student journeys,” says Talpalaru.
In addition to the students engaged in the program, SA will be sponsoring passes for 125 students. The distribution of the passes is yet to be announced, and students are advised to check for announcements on the SA’s website.
To uphold the values that the theme represents the organizing committee for Congress 2025 has removed all registration fees for students belonging to black or indigenous communities.
Corno encourages students to make the best of this opportunity noting “If you have ever been to a Congress conference… you know that’s a huge step to take towards your academic field… Talk to everybody, get involved with everybody, make connections and memories that stand out. That is the best way.”
Students can also apply to the paid positions posted on the GBC Careers page to be part of Congress taking on various roles and responsibilities. There are volunteer opportunities as well announced on the Student Life Instagram page that may be a more flexible option for students to engage in.
As the host of the largest academic gathering in Canada, being hosted by a college for the first time in its more than 90 years of history, GBC is taking centre stage.
This gives students a unique chance to connect with the academic community and contribute to the student perspective for the future of post-secondary education.
