i Believe

Message from the Founder: Alex M. Chong

“I believe in the power of collaboration – the opportunity for a new way of learning; juxtaposing dynamic individuals from different backgrounds, and creating an environment to support the dynamic energy of learning, discovery, and exploration.

The dialogue between students and professors among different faculties, disciplines and schools within Carleton are non-existent. Why is that? Why do we shut ourselves out from each other, when instead we should be embracing the dynamic backgrounds and ways of thinking that exist within the Carleton Community?

In response, I have launched an ongoing and growing initiative under the name of Makeshift 22 – a collaborative projects group which encourages the dialogue between disciplines to enhance our learning experiences on campus. Initiatives including cross-disciplinary projects, multi-disciplinary discussion nights, and more opportunities for students to not only meet but work together on inspiring projects.

While Makeshift began with 10 students in January, it has rapidly grown to a dedicated group of 30 students and continuously grows as other students on campus discover the incredible fun, excitement, and significant learning experience gained while working on projects. Not only do students get to learn from other individuals – but by contributing their own individual backgrounds, knowledge, and formal education, it allows everyone to gain not only as a group, but as individual leaders among the Carleton Community. Makeshift 22 is a small, yet crucial step towards a future where collaborative learning and creating will change the way we think and live individually and as a community.

Carleton University has the power to unlock the future – a future where an educational experience that harnesses the potentials of collaboration will offer new ways of learning and new ways of bringing people together.

I believe the future of our Carleton Community and our world begins with your support in initiatives like Makeshift 22.”

- Alex M. Chong