About PLIRC (Prior Learning International Research Centre)

Dr. Christine Wihak, Director of PLAR at Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) through its Open Learning (OL) Division, has launched an initiative to develop a new Prior Learning International Research Centre (PLIRC). The vision for the Centre, which is helmed by Dr. Christine Wihak, Director of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) at TRU-OL, is to stimulate innovative and provocative research concerning prior learning and the theory, policy and practice of its assessment and/or recognition and/or validation. "PLAR lies at the intersection of research on workplace, learning and society," Dr. Wihak said, in recognition of the importance of the new centre.

PLIRC will provide an international forum for networking amongst scholars of PLAR and will actively promote dissemination of research findings to practitioners and policy makers alike.

"Prior learning assessment and recognition is an important component of Open Learning at TRU," Judith Murray, Vice-President, TRU-OL, said. "We believe in and support the creation and advancement of knowledge in this field, along with the development of best practices and international standards."

PLIRC will be a virtual centre, residing in the BC Centre for Open Learning located on TRU's Kamloops campus. Once formal TRU approval for the new Centre is received; PLIRC will invite other international academic and applied researchers to participate.