Academic Communication & Excellence (ACE) Certificate

Graphic of three students in a classroom with a teacher.

Strengthen your academic communication skills, excel in collaboration and become career ready with the ACE Certificate

 

Why Choose the ACE Certificate?

Choose your path: Complete the full certificate or participate in individual workshops.

Certificate Enrolment Benefits

  • Comprehensive learning with structured workshops
  • Hands-on projects showcasing your knowledge and application skills
  • Recognition of your achievements with a certification

Workshop Only Enrolment Benefits

  • Flexibility to attend workshops that align with specific skills or topic of interest
  • No long-term commitment
  • Can enrol into the ACE Certificate program at any time

 

Who Can Participate?

The workshop and program is open to international undergraduate students and those that have deferred status.

 

5 Steps to Certification

If you choose the ACE Certificate Pathway, you must:

  1. Complete the registration form to officially enrol in individual workshops or the certification program
  2. Attend 3 workshops (at least one from each theme)
  3. Complete one project in total (Choose a project from any theme)
  4. Submit reflective survey after each workshop
  5. Fulfill all requirements with two years of attending your first workshop

Explore the Academic Communication and Excellence (ACE) Certificate Program to learn more and find out how to register. 

 

FALL 2025 Program Themes & Workshops:

Theme 1: Academic Foundations

Build foundational skills and strategies to thrive academically and navigate university life with confidence.

Workshop: Your University Toolkit - Thriving in a New Environment

This workshop will equip you with essential skills to start the semester strong. Learn how to manage your time effectively by breaking down course syllabi, creating a structured schedule, while also improving your study strategies through targeted note-taking and retention techniques. Discover key campus resources to set yourself up for success in your academic journey. 

Hands-On Projects Options for this Theme:

Here's a brief snapshot of the projects options you can choose to complete (you only need to choose one project across all themes):

  • Pick an academic skill and complete a 14-challenge to build lasting, real-world habits.
  • Take a stand on a debatable topic you care about, support it with research, and present your argument in a bold, single-slide infographic.

Attend workshops in this theme to learn about details and start the project!

 

Theme 2: Academic Communication

Develop clear and effective written and verbal communication for academic and professional success.

Workshop: Speak Up: Building Academic Discussion Skills (ESL OLC)

This interactive workshop helps students develop the skills and confidence to actively participate in academic discussions. You’ll learn practical techniques to manage speaking anxiety, prepare effectively for class contributions, think critically in the moment, and communicate your ideas persuasively. Through guided exercises and peer practice, you’ll build the tools to engage meaningfully in classroom discourse, which is an essential skill for academic and professional success. 

Hands-On Projects Options for this Theme:

Here's a brief snapshot of the projects options you can choose to complete (you only need to choose one project across all themes):

  • Reflect on your journey as a communicator by creating a 5-minute podcast that shares the academic or professional skills that helped you grow into a confident, engaging speaker.
  • Craft and reflect on professional emails for real academic scenarios to build confidence, clarity, and etiquette in formal communication

Attend workshops in this theme to learn about details and start the project!

 

Theme 3: Collaboration & Presentation

Master teamwork and presentation skills to create impactful group projects and deliver engaging content.

Workshop: Teamwork in Action: Thriving in Group Projects

This workshop equips you with essential skills and tools to engage in successful group work. You will learn to recognize group development stages, apply conflict resolution strategies, and practice teamwork through interactive simulations. The session covers common group project scenarios with practical solutions, giving you hands-on experience to improve your collaborative abilities. Leave with actionable techniques to contribute effectively in any team setting. 

Hands-On Projects Options for this Theme:

Here’s a brief snapshot of the projects options you can choose to complete (you only need to choose one project across all themes):  

  • Deliver a 5-minute TED-style talk that transforms an everyday object into a powerful, thought-provoking story using creativity, research, and presentation skills.
  • Analyze a failed team scenario, uncover what went wrong, and propose strategies for resolving conflict and improving collaboration.

Attend workshops in this theme to learn about details and start the project!

 

Workshop Schedule (Fall 2025):

Explore the Academic Communication and Excellence (ACE) Certificate Program to learn more and find out how to register.