Humber College has partnered with Harley-Davidson Canada to offer its motorcycle training program with the exclusive use of Harley-Davidson motorcycles by January 2020. As part of the partnership, the motorcycle training program will be re-launched as the Humber/Harley-Davidson Training Centre. “We are excited to partner with Harley-Davidson Canada to offer our students a truly unique experience in motorcycle rider training,” says Andy Hertel, program manager of motorcycle rider training at Humber. “Our riders will learn on Harley-Davidson Street® 500 cc bikes, which are perfectly suited to real-life street riding." Humber

McGill University’s Brain@McGill, the University of Oxford, and the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich (ZNZ) have renewed their tripartite partnership agreement that has supported over 60 collaborations in a variety of research areas and exchange agreements. “The Tripartite partnership has engaged our respective research communities at all levels, as well as having led to new opportunities with the Velux Foundation,” said Principal Suzanne Fortier. “Projects that are intersectoral and international in scope – like those undertaken jointly by ZNZ, Oxford, and Brain@McGill – can only have a positive impact on our ability to overcome some of our most pressing challenges in neuroscience.” McGill

“While it is impossible to ‘futureproof’ a board, assessing its strengths and potential vulnerabilities can go a long way toward ensuring that it is prepared for what’s ahead,” write Peter Eckel and Cathy Trower for Inside Higher Ed. The authors note that all boards are different, not only in culture, but in scope of work and level of sophistication; yet there are fundamental best practices that tend to traverse these differences. For example, a board chair should easily be able to say whether there are written expectations for trustees, orientation processes for new members, and formal demands for board members to prepare for meetings. The authors outline a set of standards for assessing a board’s performance and culture, and conclude with the suggestion that while boards can conduct these assessments themselves, “they may be better served by having outside experts help craft questions and make sense of the results.” Inside Higher Ed

The Red River College student who was assaulted during a work placement is seeking damages from RRC and the Behavioural Health Foundation, claiming that both parties acted negligently by leaving her alone with dangerous offenders. Jackie Healey is seeking general damages, “punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages,” legal fees and interest, and “other relief as counsel may advise.” RRC is conducting its own investigation into the circumstances leading up to the attack and its work placement policies and procedures. The investigation is expected to be completed before the start of the new academic year. Winnipeg Free Press | CBC

Colleges Ontario has launched a new television ad, called “Higher Education for a New World,” this week. The ad focuses on the success of graduates in a variety of career fields, including business, health care, and digital animation. “More than ever, parents and students are looking at postsecondary education to provide students with the professional qualifications and skills that lead to successful careers,” said Colleges Ontario President Linda Franklin. “It’s essential that we raise awareness of how college education opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities.” Colleges Ontario | Advertisement (YouTube)

Court documents indicate that Omar Khadr, a Canadian man who is awaiting the results of his appeal of 5 terrorism convictions in the US, will be offered a spot at The King's University in Edmonton in order to help him integrate back into the community. Khadr is currently seeking release on bail while the courts settle the convictions, which were specified in a plea bargain made with a military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Khadr would study as a mature student, and plans are being made to allow him to study off-campus. University President Melanie Humphreys said that it may take some time before Khadr would be able to resume his studies, but explained that "this offer, should Omar choose to accept, is the logical step after 6.5 years of voluntary teaching service to get his high school degree." Humphreys acknowledged that some may oppose the offer, but said that "this is the best way to keep our community safe—to be in a relationship ... It's not a decision we took lightly and it's based on relations with people who know him well."  Edmonton Journal

The strategic mandate agreement (SMA) between Ryerson University and Ontario identifies as the institution’s key areas of differentiation its support for interdisciplinary thinking and innovation; its collaboration with industry, the public, and the non-profit sector; and its distinctive “zone” model of entrepreneurial education. Ryerson is also identified as playing a unique role as a city builder. Ryerson is recognized for its focus on professional accreditation and experiential learning through programs such as its Digital Media Zone (DMZ). The SMA also cites as strengths Ryerson’s several entrepreneurial zones, including the Innovation Centre for Urban Energy (iCUE), the Fashion Zone, the Design Fabrication Zone, and the Transmedia Zone. Ryerson’s contributions to urban ecosystem research are also noted. The SMA further emphasizes Ryerson’s support for online learning, distance education, and adult learning, and its commitment to education access for underrepresented groups including first-generation students, Aboriginal students, persons with disabilities, and internationally educated professionals. The SMA identifies 5 proposed areas of program growth: innovation and entrepreneurship, design and technology, management and competitiveness, creative economy and culture, and health and technology. Ryerson SMA

Ontario has signed strategic mandate agreements (SMAs) with all 45 of the province’s publicly assisted colleges and universities. The SMAs push ahead with Ontario’s commitment to institutional differentiation, directing institutions to pursue growth in identified areas of strength while limiting expansion in areas where programs already exist. The SMAs will also help connect institutions with the economy by focusing on co-op opportunities, applied research, entrepreneurship, and skills training. The SMAs represent a shift in the relationship between the government and PSE institutions toward a “co-management” approach that advocates say will enhance transparency and accountability. “These aren’t things we’re dictating; we want to exercise stewardship over post-secondary education,” said Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Reza Moridi. Council of Ontario Universities (COU) President Bonnie M Patterson commented, "you will see in these agreements the many ways universities are preparing graduates for careers, and how universities are hubs of innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation that are helping to build Ontario." The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), however, said it had “serious concerns over the government’s Differentiation Agenda,” suggesting that the plan could affect institutional autonomy, academic planning, and academic freedom. Ontario News Release | Toronto Star | COU News Release | OCUFA Blog

The Government of British Columbia has announced $5M in funding to create a new research chair at Thompson Rivers University that will help improve wildfire prediction and response in the province. The British Columbia Research Chair in Predictive Services, Emergency Management and Fire Science will support wildfire data modelling in the heart of wildfire country, as well as explore the relationship between climate change and its effect on wildfire risk. “I would like to thank our research partners – the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) – and the mayors of Prince George, Kelowna and Kamloops who were integral in putting this forward,” said TRU President Brett Fairbairn. “Continued collaboration with these partners and others, including First Nations, BC Wildfire Service and EMBC, will ensure B.C. has the latest and best information to prevent and respond to wildfires.” An appointment to the research chair is expected later this year. BC | CBC (BC)

Statistics Canada has released a new study that presents estimates of the cumulative earning losses that this year’s graduating classes could experience in the next five years, depending on the scale of the economic downturn. The study investigates five scenarios for this year's youth unemployment rate – 16%, 19%, 22%, 25%, and 28% – in comparison with the long-term historical average of 14.3%. The researchers note that, with an unemployment rate of 28% for example, students belonging to the 2020 class of high school, college, and bachelor's degree graduates could lose up to $44K over the next five years. While the report notes that these potential losses do not outweigh the potential long-term earning benefits for persons who attain a postsecondary degree, they warn that other factors will impact graduates’ earnings. For example, the report notes that “this year's female postsecondary graduates may incur larger earnings losses during the next five years than their male counterparts.” StatsCan | The Globe and Mail (National)