042: Elevating Education Through Community and Change with Jelena Bajic

In this episode of The People Teaching People Podcast, I’m joined by Jelena Bajic, the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Environment, Technology, and Continuing Education at NorQuest College in Edmonton, Alberta. Jelena shares her journey from Yugoslavia to South Africa, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and ultimately Canada, highlighting her passion for high employee engagement, motivation, and professional development. 

Jelena discusses her belief in community-driven impact, her experience at various educational institutions, and her role at NorQuest College. She offers insights into organizational transformation, interdisciplinary learning, and the future of education. Jelena also touches on the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and embracing change. 

Jelena believes in community-driven impact that elevates individuals and the collective. She has a special interest in high employee engagement and motivation during organizational transformations. Her experiences have taught her that prioritizing staff learning and professional development always pays dividends through increased innovation, engagement and productivity, driving greater team and organizational impact.

Over the past 20+ years Jelena has worked with highly skilled individuals in South Africa, the UK, Saudi Arabia and Canada in various capacities, from Energy Advisory as an Advisor at Tetra Consulting in the UK to Research Operations as the Managing Director at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Today, Jelena is the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Environment, Technology and Continuing Education at NorQuest College in Edmonton, Alberta. NorQuest’s purpose – At NorQuest, we transform lives. And when we do that, we transform communities, we transform the world, we transform the future. – is so strongly aligned to Jelena’s view of the role and impact of education.

As an Energy Futures Lab Fellow, Jelena continues to explore the intricate interplay between business, technology and environmental disciplines which is undeniably shaping our communities and economy today and will continue to do so into the future. Some of this work is also shaping priorities in her portfolio at NorQuest College with regard to skill and competency development for learners, as well as workforce development.

Jelena is passionate about empowering others to act and engages in many working groups, events and committees. Beyond her work-related commitments, Jelena is also the President of a childcare society, a SHE Leads Mentor and an avid supporter of the Edmonton culinary and arts scenes.

Jelena earned a PhD in Environmental Biology from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She is trained in Business Management, Change Management and Strategic Communication. 

 

Listen in as we talk about:

04:09 Jelena’s story

13:03 NorQuest College in Edmonton, Alberta #WeAreWhoWeInclude

17:49 Strategic direction and faculty development with educational change

22:35 Interdisciplinary opportunities and the future of education

24:30 Educational change and personal development

27:20 The multifaceted approach to the energy transition 

31:04 Embracing diverse learning styles

33:57 Decolonizing curriculum and anti-racism efforts

35:34 The importance of curiosity and unlearning

38:09 Collaborative problem solving and diverse perspectives

40:16 Audiobooks: A new way to read

42:53 Hockey and community spirit

46:03 Jelena’s favourite teacher

48:09 Jelena’s pride in teamwork and engaging with mentors

51:35 Jelena’s words of wisdom

 

Connect with Jelena:

• LinkedIn: Jelena Bajic

 

Learn more about NorQuest College:

• Web