FDU Vancouver Strengthens Industry Connections Through CPHR Conference Participation

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Vancouver Campus continues to strengthen its commitment to industry-aligned education through active engagement with professional organizations and workplace leaders.

On May 5, 2026, Reza Khoee, Assistant Professor in the SPGA Department under the Silberman College of Business, attended the HR Conference & Expo 2026 hosted by the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR). The event brought together HR professionals, educators, and industry leaders to discuss emerging workplace trends, professional development, and the future of work in Canada.

Strengthening HR Education at FDU Vancouver

Since joining FDU Vancouver in 2024, Khoee has focused on enhancing the university’s Human Resources (HR) curriculum to better align with current industry expectations and workforce needs. As part of this initiative, FDU Vancouver successfully achieved accreditation through CPHR, becoming one of the few accredited institutions in British Columbia.

This milestone strengthens the value of FDU Vancouver’s HR programs while helping students build stronger connections to the HR profession and workplace opportunities in Canada.

“HR is constantly evolving, and it is important that academic programs evolve alongside industry trends.” — Reza Khoee

Industry Insights and Emerging Trends

During the conference, Professor Khoee connected with HR professionals from a variety of industries and attended sessions focused on artificial intelligence (AI) in HR, workplace trends, and recent updates to employment laws and labour relations in British Columbia.

One of the key discussions explores how AI is transforming areas such as recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and performance management. These insights will help ensure that FDU Vancouver’s HR curriculum remains current and relevant for students preparing to enter the workforce.

The conference also highlighted the growing importance of communication, adaptability, technology literacy, and strategic thinking within today’s HR profession.

Creating Opportunities for Students

A particularly meaningful moment during the conference came through a conversation with a recent FDU Vancouver HR graduate who shared that employers had specifically asked about the university’s CPHR accreditation during the hiring process. The alumnus also successfully secured a specialized HR role shortly after graduation.

For Khoee, experiences like these reinforce the importance of building strong connections between education and industry.

“Conferences like CPHR help us better understand what employers are looking for and how we can continue preparing students for the future of work,” — Reza Khoee

Through partnerships with organizations such as CPHR, Fairleigh Dickinson University Vancouver continues to create opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals, stay informed about workplace trends, and develop career-ready skills.

-30- 

About Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Vancouver Campus 

Since 2007, FDU Vancouver has shaped professionals in British Columbia through personal, global and transformational education. As a comprehensive not-for-profit university, FDU Vancouver delivers industry-aligned undergraduate and graduate education in business, health, hospitality and tourism, humanities and information technology. Learn more about FDU Vancouver’s Master of Administrative Studies at fdu.edu/vancouver-mas

 

go to Vancouver news