Plans for a new Bahá’í university

This is still in the planning stages, but it’s at least garnering positive attention: a Bahá’í is Ontario planning to create a new Bahá’í-inspired university:

The plan is to build “a learning environment that is informed by and consistent with Baha’i-inspired principles. . . .
Required courses on the proposed curriculum include: learning and its applications, scientific reasoning and investigation, approaches to religion, reasoning and writing, communicating effectively and seminars on human rights, global prosperity, the advancement of women. Electives include: introduction to philosophy, media and society, conflict resolution strategies, culture and psychology, classical social theory, lifespan development.

Initially, the college would be housed in the now-empty Nancy Campbell school in downtown Stratford. In its first year, there would likely be 40 to 50 students, says Naylor, and eventually, as many as 1,000. As the student body grows, it is hoped that some offices and possibly classrooms could be located at a nearby building owned by Naylor or in what is currently the Stratford Public Library (after a new library is built). It is also possible, he says, that a new campus could be established on “20 acres of land from the city.”

The man behind this, Gordon Naylor, was also one of the founders of the Nancy Campbell Institute, which the article discusses, though it fails to mention any of the other educational projects being undertaken by Bahá’í communities around the world.

4 Responses to “Plans for a new Bahá’í university”

  1. b Says:

    any news from the Scarborough conference in the UK??…
    it was a blast! i wish there was more (reports, pictures) so there could be a post on it!
    :)

  2. dan jones Says:

    Mad props to Mr. Gordon Naylor… this is a great idea, and will be a huge boost to the North American Baha’i community.

  3. Breece Says:

    on the subject of mad props, I’d like to thank mcgee and ry for all the great posts on this site. Its nice to be able to keep up with Bahá’í news from all over.

    Keep em’ coming!!!

  4. Jonathan Menon Says:

    In fact, it is much further ahead than just the planning stage. They are just a single step away from full accreditation in Ontario, and they are already delivering courses in an “advanced placement” mode.

    Support from the city has been enormous, with the mayor and city council all coming out in very public support for a Baha’i-inspired university in their town, explaining the principles of a Baha’i-inspired organization and making sure all the necessary political waters are skillfully navigated.

    The university has received all the necessary positive recommendations from the powers that be and the application is now in front of the minister in the Ontario government.

    Assuming everything goes according to plan, they will begin operating as a college in January, with their first undergraduate classes.

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