How University Canada West bridges academic learning with real-world experience.

At University Canada West (UCW), experiential learning is more than a concept—it’s essential for preparing MBA students for success in today’s dynamic business environment. Dr. Diljot Kaur Soin, Chair and Associate Professor in the Leadership and People Management Department, brings over a decade of experience in career education to her courses. With a passion for lifelong learning driving her toward a fulfilling career in education, she shares that her pursuit of knowledge “has shaped my values and motivated my personal and professional growth.” Her most rewarding milestone, completing her doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology, led her to create practical tools for managers to enhance recruitment, selection, and promotion procedures—skills she now integrates into experiential learning for her students.

Projects UCW students worked on through Riipen.

In her Talent Management course, Dr. Soin utilizes Riipen’s platform to provide students with hands-on experience in addressing real-world business challenges. “Two groups of 2-3 students worked on updating job descriptions for 4-5 positions, participated in the hiring process, and created training videos for the new hires,” she explains. Through Riipen, students worked with Leslie Sheridan and PlanetCents to apply classroom knowledge to authentic workplace scenarios. “She was impressed by the work students generated,” notes Dr. Soin. Projects like these help students develop professional skills such as communication, project management, and content creation, while also producing tangible results for the organization.

The importance of experiential learning in the classroom.

Experiential learning is particularly relevant today, especially with emerging technologies like AI and machine learning. “Practical hands-on learning gained through experiential learning projects encourages students to build critical thinking skills by analyzing real-world problems and proposing constructive solutions,” Dr. Soin explains. She considers Riipen “the perfect experience for students to develop practical skills, build networks, and socially embed themselves in the industry.” Many of her students have benefited from Riipen projects, with some even securing positions with industry partners. “Riipen is valuable for students looking to create a dynamic resume and experience concrete learning experiences,” she adds.

Dr. Soin first learned about Riipen in 2022 and was impressed by the platform’s collaborative environment, which brings together educators and industry partners to provide students with meaningful, real-world experiences.

Over the past four years (at the time of publication), she has integrated Riipen into her course assignments, observing firsthand how structured experiential learning prepares students for professional success. She emphasizes that consistent educator involvement is key: “Continuous commitment on the part of educators is required to be successful in making the best use of this experiential learning platform. That entails conducting weekly check-ins with the students and providing constructive feedback throughout the term.”

Key benefits UCW achieved through Riipen.

Riipen has become an integral part in UCW’s curriculum for marketing and public relations courses. According to Dr. Soin, standout features include Riipen’s Support Team, the breadth of available projects, and custom feedback and survey tools—all of which help students gain real-world experience efficiently.

Through Riipen, UCW has enjoyed:

• Company-student alignment for meaningful projects.
• Resources and support for faculty.

Improved assessment and reporting of experiential learning outcomes.Enhanced understanding of student skill development and employability.

Get started with Riipen.

For educators looking to enhance experiential learning in their classrooms, Dr. Diljot Kaur Soin’s recommendation is clear: Riipen provides a structured, scalable, and impactful approach to connecting students with employers while developing the skills essential for career success.

Interested in bringing real-world learning to your students? Learn how Riipen supports educators, and book a demo to explore how your institution can scale experiential learning opportunities.

📹 Click to watch Dr. Diljot Kaur Soin’s full video testimonial now: