From March 16 to April 3, UM students, staff and faculty who have completed the prerequisite can apply by invitation for the Micro-certificate in EDIA. Anyone else interested in the Micro-certificate in EDIA can prepare by taking its prerequisite course, EDIA 0100 Foundations, in Fall 2026. Applications open in July.
Offered by Extended Education in collaboration with the Office of Equity Transformation, the Micro-certificate in EDIA currently has about 60 people in the program and 12 graduates. First offered in September 2024, it is part of UM’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, aligned with UM’s strategic goals.
No matter how much you think you know about equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA), there is always more to learn. Just ask Toyosi Adeniran (she/her), graduate, Micro-certificate in EDIA.
“I don’t know why I thought that equity was the same thing as equality. And I was like, oh my goodness,” says Adeniran. “So when I took the EDIA 0100 Foundations course (the prerequisite to the Micro-certificate in EDIA), I found out that I really have a lot to learn so I am going to make sure that I see this through and keep learning.”
As human resources manager for the University of Manitoba Libraries, Adeniran knew this valuable training provided by UM for the UM community at no cost to learners would be very important to her role and ensuring that human resources was better equipped to meet the needs of diverse people.
“We have to ensure there’s fairness in our policies and procedures across the board. That we are ensuring the job postings meet just the necessary requirements for people to be able to apply for the position,” she says.
“There is a lot to learn. The Micro-certificate in EDIA is a wealth of knowledge wrapped up in a program. There is a lot that you get to find out about yourself. There is a lot that you then start to feel more comfortable about and because of that knowledge, you are more confident.”
Before the program, Adeniran says, “You know, I always, unconsciously, I have had that defensive mechanism that why do I need to change my personal beliefs because of someone else’s personal beliefs? But I don’t need to change that. I just need to understand, learn and accept another person’s personal beliefs.”
She highly recommends the program to fellow staff as well as students and faculty in the UM community.
Graduate, Micro-certificate in EDIA Federico Lopez Ficher (he/him), graduate, Micro-certificate in EDIA, took the program because he wanted to make a difference.
“I just had the sense there was more I could do. I wanted to learn more so that I could be best equipped to serve my patients, to serve my students, and so that my students could then better serve their patients,” says the Instructor II at the College of Nursing.
“I think EDIA can make a difference in bridging the gap. Particularly when I think about health care and education. There are lots of gaps in which you know we see people fall through the cracks in the way they receive care and the way they are able to access care.
“To meet folks where they are at and be there for them. Understand where the struggle may be and get to the source of it in the best way possible.”
For him, it’s important to see each other as human beings. “To go back to our idea of humanity, belonging, wanting to belong. And to less so look at the things that make us different and more so look at the commonalities that we have.”
Taking the EDIA course and program was important for his work, he says. “Part of being a nurse is about lifelong learning, being curious. Serving people from all walks of life and trying to do that in the most unbiased, kind and empathetic way.”
It was also important for his family, he says. “When I think about my kids, I want them to grow up with care and empathy and to be that light in the world. I want to exemplify these aspects of EDIA that I found to be positive and rewarding.”
UM community members who have completed the prerequisite will be invited to apply by March 20.
Learn more about the Micro-certificate in EDIA
Micro-certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) - UM Extended Education
Applications for the prerequisite to the Micro-Certificate in EDIA- EDIA 0100 Foundations, open in July 2026.
Learn more and apply to the course when registration opens in July
Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility - EDIA: Foundations - Course - UM Extended Education
At UM, we encourage life-long curiosity while providing tools – inside and outside the classroom – to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Empowering learners is one of the strategic themes you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.
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